President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom said that the Chinese Government has made our ‘Impossible Dream’ a reality. He made this remark while speaking at the Signing and Project Commencement Ceremony for the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge which was held at Dharubaaruge on Wednesday night.
During the ceremony the President extended his profound appreciation to the Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce, for the continuous support rendered to the people of the Maldives in achieving our targets, backed by the generous and unambiguous support of Chinese President Xi Jinping and by the Government, and people of China.
Speaking at the ceremony the President said that it was a historic night for the Maldives because China, one of the most influential in the world, had shown solidarity with a country as small as ours. He further stated that good bilateral relations could go on to mutually benefit big and small countries alike.
Speaking further the President stated that International diplomacy was not about predatory practices; that rather than being placed under scrutiny, we look towards the International Community viewing us within a more assistive gaze. Tonight the Maldives is not judged by its size, the President said.
President Yameen highlighted the country's biggest developmental challenge is its small size, thus making it difficult to achieve the right economies of scale. Further he said that when the bridge was completed it would play a vital role in solving numerous societal issues rooted because of congestion of societies. He urged the Maldivian youth to migrate from all over the country to Malé area where opportunities were in abundance.
The President said that as we mark the 43rd anniversary of diplomatic ties with the Peoples’ Republic of China it is indeed symbolic that the most important and historic landmark of the nation be named the 'China-Maldives Friendship Bridge'. He further stated that this alone signifies the cherished friendship between the people of the two countries.
During tonight’s ceremony the China-Maldives Bridge was inaugurated by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and Vice Minister of Commerce of China, Gao Yan who is also the special envoy of the Chinese Government. During the ceremony the Project Implementation Agreement, signed by both countries, was also exchanged. The Chinese Government also presented The President with a miniature model of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge as a token of this memorable event.
The function was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Dunya Maumoon, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Members of the Parliament, and senior officials of Government and other prestigious Offices.
