Vice Minister of Commerce of China, Gao Yan has paid a courtesy call on President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. The meeting was held at the President’s Office on Tuesday morning.
At the meeting, the President and the Chinese Vice Minister acknowledged the close relations that exist between the Maldives and China, and discussed ways for further expansion of these relations. The President and the Vice Minister agreed that President Xi Jinping’s State Visit to the Maldives made last year, has enabled stronger cooperation between the two countries in more areas.
Speaking at the meeting, President Yameen said that the “China-Maldives friendship bridge” to be built between Male’ City and Hulhumale, was greatly anticipated by all Maldivians. He stated that this project would pave the way for the Government to achieve many of its economic and social development goals.
Highlighting that youth empowerment and facilitating affordable housing for the youth were among his key electoral pledges, the President said that the bridge project was especially connected to the dreams of the youth. He also said that the Government’s highest priority today was to attain economic advancement, and improving the livelihood of the Maldivian people.
President Yameen expressed his gratitude for the important role played by China in strengthening the Maldives’ economy and restoring societal harmony. He said that the Maldives always welcomes foreign investors, and thanked Chinese investors for their interest in the Maldives.
Speaking on the Maldives’ foreign policy, President Yameen stated that Maldives was a friend of the world, and that we would always maintain good relations with all the countries as long as our sovereignty was respected.
At today’s meeting Vice Minister of Commerce of China, Gao Yan expressed her delight that the Maldivian people gave as much importance to the “China-Maldives friendship bridge”, as the Maldivian Government. She assured the President of China’s continuous support and assistance to the Maldives, for the successful completion of the bridge. She also expressed hopes for future mega projects where both the countries could collaborate.
Noting that the “China-Maldives friendship bridge” would be the first of its kind in the history of the Maldives, the Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce discussed the latest updates on the bridge project with President Yameen. She also briefed the President on the challenges being faced at different stages. The Chinese Vice Minister expressed her gratitude to the President and Government of Maldives for the continuous support being provided for the bridge project.
Further, the Chinese Vice Minister extended felicitations to the President on the occasion of the Maldives’ Golden Jubilee anniversary of national independence, and commended the developmental progress Maldives has achieved in 50 years. She also expressed her confidence that under President Yameen’s leadership, the Maldives will reach new heights in development.
