China has assured that it will increase investment and development projects in Maldives, Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed said on Thursday.
Saeed, who is in China with Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef to attend the ‘China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation’, made the announcement in a post on X after a ceremony to welcome dignitaries to the forum.
According to Saeed, China will look to increase flights between the two countries to boost trade and incoming tourists to the Maldives while also increasing investment, and development projects, in the Maldives.
The Chinese government has assured that more flights, investment and development projects will be implemented under President @MMuizzu [Mohamed Muizzu’s] leadership. God willing a hopeful positive change in the days to come.
Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed posting on X.
Saeed said that the relationship between China and Maldives will be further strengthened translating to positive developments in the Maldives.
Vice President Latheef addressed the opening ‘China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation’ during its opening which took place on Friday.
While the Maldives had pivoted away from China during the recent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih administration, it had been the Maldives’ biggest external development partner during the Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM)-led Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom administration.
The MDP-led Solih administration chose to implement a significant number of the projects with India.