President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, and the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, held official talks yesterday as part of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s ongoing state visit to China.

The official talks between the Republic of Maldives and the People’s Republic of China, led by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and President Xi Jinping, respectively, took place at the Great Hall of People in Beijing.

During the talks, President Muizzu expressed gratitude for China's significant role in the Maldives' economic success and for China's generous assistance in social housing, higher education, and infrastructure development of the Maldives. He additionally explored avenues for expanding tourism cooperation and air connectivity between the two countries.

President Xi Jinping congratulated President Muizzu on his election victory and expressed confidence that the visit would mark the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral relations between China and the Maldives. He also expressed hope to strengthen cooperation in various areas, including the blue, green, and digital economies.

Both leaders conveyed optimism that the bilateral ties between the two nations will continue to strengthen in the future.

The official talks followed the signing of 20 key agreements between the two countries in the presence of President Dr Muizzu and President Xi Jinping.

President Muizzu, accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level ministerial delegation, is currently undertaking his first overseas state visit to China.