The Maldives and China have signed 5 key agreements today as both countries look to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
The agreements were signed in the presence of Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdullah and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi who is currently visiting the Maldives.
The agreements signed today include a number of key agreements on important areas such as infrastructure development, health, and travel.
The Foreign Minister said that the agreements that were signed during the visit were “Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption between the Government of the Republic of the Maldives and the Government of the People’s Republic of China”, which will allow Maldivians to travel to China on a 30-day visa-free basis, once the pandemic restrictions have been lifted.
The two countries also signed the “Agreement of Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Maldives and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Grand Aid” focusing on the development of key areas such as social, livelihood, and infrastructure projects.
State Minister Ahmed Khaleel signed both agreements on behalf of the Maldivian government.
Meanwhile, the Minister of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam signed on behalf of the Government, a “Letter of Exchange on the Feasibility Study of Management and Maintenance of China-Maldives Friendship Bridge”.
Also, the Minister of State for National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Akram Kamauludeen also signed a “Supplementary Contract to the Implementation Contract for China Aided Micro-Grid Sea-water Desalination Project in the Maldives”.
Finally, Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem signed the “Agreement on Establishing a Hospital Assistance and Cooperation Programme between the Ministry of Health of the Republic of the Maldives and the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China.”
The Ministry noted that the agreements signed today will directly benefit the people of Maldives, improving their quality of health services, providing additional outlets for seawater desalination, and assisting the Government with the maintenance of the flagship China-Maldives Friendship Bridge.
