The Vice Governor of Yunnan Province, His Excellency Mr. Liu Huiyan has paid a courtesy call on President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, on Monday morning.
At the meeting, the President expressed his happiness upon meeting with the delegates and welcomed them to Maldives. The President expressed his gratitude in being able to open an Office of Trade and Tourism in Kunming and highlighted that China-Maldives friendship was highly rewarding. In speaking at the meeting, the President pointed to the different instances where the Chinese Government has helped Maldives in various ways and appreciated the fact that China was always ready to help. Moreover, the President referred to the historical ties with Yunnan and expressed his hopes to maintain good ties with Yunnan even in this modern era.
In addition, the President touched upon the main purpose and benefits of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, highlighting that the bridge is of crucial importance for the youth; it would reduce public expenditure and change the way we shape our daily lives, he said. The President also mentioned the challenges Maldivians face in development and transportation due to the dispersed geography of the islands and that it was vital for a bridge to be built to easily connect Male’ and Hulhumale. At this point, the President thanked the President of China for his contributions in making the bridge a reality and expressed his anticipation for the commencement of the work on the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge that is to be held on the 30th of this month.
At the meeting, the Vice Governor of Yunnan Province, His Excellency Mr. Liu Huiyan expressed his gratitude in reaching a consensus with the Minister of Economic Development in different sectors like education, health, culture and infrastructure which will symbolise mutual cooperation between China and Maldives and serve to further strengthen the Maldivian economy.
In speaking at the meeting, the Vice Governor invited the Maldivian Government and Business sector to visit Kunming next year and highlighted that Maldives would be a key participant of the Kunming Expo. Additionally, the Vice Governor expressed his hopes of witnessing the inauguration of The Office of Trade and Tourism during next year’s Kunming Expo.
In concluding the meeting, the President accepted the invitation and stated that he was looking forward to the visit next year. Additionally, the President stated that Maldivian craftsmen were looking forward to participating in the Kunming Expo.
The President was accompanied at the meeting by the Minister of Economic Development Hon. Mohamed Saeed and Under Secretary at the President’s Office Mr. Mohamed Naseer.
