Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou has paid a courtesy call on President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
During the meeting held at the President's Office on Sunday, the President warmly welcomed the Assistant Minister to the Maldives and conveyed good wishes to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Government and the friendly people of China.
“While emphasising that the Government of Maldives attaches very high importance to its relations with China, the President expressed his sincere gratitude for the strengthened cooperation between the Maldives and China, as well as for the support and assistance that China continues to extend for the socioeconomic development of the Maldives,” the President’s Office said in statement. “Discussions that followed included exploring further areas of cooperation between the two countries.”
The Assistant Foreign Minister highlighted that China and the Maldives have enjoyed cordial relations over the past years and expressed confidence that the existing relations between the two countries will go from strength to strength in the years ahead, according to the statement.
“Speaking of the ongoing mega projects in the Maldives assisted by the Chinese Government, the Assistant Foreign Minister emphasised that the projects are symbolic of the friendly relations between China and the Maldives,” said the statement. “He further noted China will continue working together with the Maldives to enhance the existing ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. In closing, the Assistant Foreign Minister conveyed assurances of continued assistance from China to the Maldives under the leadership of President Xi Jinping.”
The President was accompanied at the call by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Asim and Minister of State for Foreign Relations at the President's Office, Mohamed Naseer. The Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister was joined by Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives, Wang Fukang, and the Third Secretary of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang Fei.