Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon met with Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, on Friday, 13 September.
The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the ongoing 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, the Maldives’ Ministry of Defence confirmed on social media.
The ministers discussed strengthening bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries, the Ministry said.
According to China Military Online, the official English-language military news website of the Chinese Armed Forces, Maumoon touched upon the friendly relations between the Maldives and China as the best example of China’s equal treatment of countries large or small, while expressing hope that the two militaries will keep close personnel exchanges, deepen maritime security cooperation, and further strengthen defence ties.
The 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum was held in China at the Beijing International Convention Center between 12 – 14 September under the theme “Promoting Peace for a Shared Future.” The Xiangshan Forum focuses on the role of “Global South” countries in international security, improving international security mechanisms, and maintaining peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region as well as the world.