The government of China has congratulated the Maldives on smooth holding of the Presidential Election 2018. Answering a question posed during the Foreign Ministry's Regular Press Conference on September 25, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang extended congratulations to the President-Elect of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, adding China respects the choice made by the people of Maldives.
Furthermore, China expressed hope Maldives can maintain stability and development. Noting the bilateral relations between China and Maldives flourished a sound momentum of growth in the recent years, Geng Shuang stated China is willing to work with the Maldives to continue to cement traditional friendship and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation so as to deliver benefits to two countries and its peoples.
Shedding light on the future of the Chinese investments in Maldives, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said China always encourages its enterprises to invest and start businesses in Maldives in accordance with the market principles and play a positive role in promoting the socio-economic development of Maldives expressing hope to maintain the consistency and stability of relevant policies and create a sound business environment for the operations of Chinese enterprises in Maldives.
Regarding the China-Maldives free trade agreement, Geng Shuang noted the two countries inked the free trade agreement in December last year, assuring China is willing to work with Maldives to implement the agreement and continuously expand bilateral trade and investment cooperation to deliver more benefits to two countries and its peoples.