Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China and Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, H.E. Li Qiang, paid a courtesy call on H.E. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu this morning at the Great Hall of People in Beijing, China.

During the meeting, the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China and President Dr Muizzu remarked that sovereign equality, mutual respect, and shared historical ties form the basis of the Maldives-China relationship.

President Dr Muizzu and the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China deliberated on increasing cooperation in e-commerce and in upcoming projects by President Dr Muizzu’s administration, including the Ras Malé development project, airport expansion, and other development projects. They additionally discussed increasing direct flights and further cooperation in tourism.

The Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China proposed to offer avenues of support to Maldivians in various fields, including scholarship opportunities, vocational training, sports training, fisheries and maritime cooperation, ecological cooperation, metrological technologies, and more.

President Dr Muizzu further stated during the call that he hoped to strengthen ties in numerous areas of shared interest and take bilateral relations between the Maldives and China to new heights during his administration.

The President and the First Lady are currently undertaking a state visit to the People's Republic of China at the invitation of H.E. Xi Jinping, the President of China. A high-level delegation is accompanying the President and the First Lady on this visit.

The Maldives and China established diplomatic ties in 1972.