Chinese President Xi Jinping says China firmly supports the Maldives in safeguarding its national sovereignty and independence as the Maldives looks to foster closer relations with its East Asian partner.
The Chinese President said this during his official talks with visiting Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu who arrived in China earlier this week on his first state trip after becoming the leader of the Indian Ocean Nation.
Xi called his Maldivian counterpart "old friend" at the start of their talks, saying the fact that Muizzu is the first foreign leader he has hosted this year and that Muizzu chose China as the destination of his first state visit overseas since taking office, speaks volumes about the emphasis both nations place on the relationship.
Xi underscored that China respects and supports the Maldives in exploring a development path that suits its national conditions, and firmly supports the Indian Ocean nation in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and national dignity.
Muizzu reaffirmed the Maldives' adherence to the one-China policy, saying that his country looks forward to further expanding new channels of bilateral cooperation and adding new dimensions to bilateral relations.
He said that the Maldives welcomes the arrival of more Chinese tourists, as China had been the nation's largest source of inbound tourism before COVID-19.
What an Irony!! Just like they "supported" Sri Lanka and Pakistan? Both are bankrupt now and have had to surrender their most important ports to China.