China-Maldives Supplement

CHINA-MALDIVES

50TH ANNIVERSARY

H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

Your Excellency,

On the auspicious occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Maldives, I would like to, on behalf of the Government and people of China and also in my own name, extend my warm congratulations and good wishes to the Government and people of Maldives.

The China-Maldives friendly exchanges date back to ancient times. Over the past 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and the Maldives, the two countries have always respected and supported each other, which has set a good example of countries of different sizes treating each other as equals and seeking winwin cooperation. In recent years, the two countries tided over difficulties together and offered helping hands to each other, worked together to cope with the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic unseen in a century, deepened cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative as well as upheld and promoted the true multilateralism, which provided new impetus into and opened up new prospect for China-Maldives relations.

I attach great importance to the development of China-Maldives relations. I'm ready to work with you to promote the steady development of China-Maldives future-oriented all-round friendly and cooperative partnership so as to bring more benefits to our two countries and peoples.

May I wish the Maldives prosperity and its people health and happiness. May I wish China-Maldives friendship everlasting!

Your Excellency,

State Councilor and Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China

On the auspicious occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Maldives, I would like to extend my warm congratulations and good wishes to you.

Over the past 50 years of the diplomatic relations between China and the Maldives, China-Maldives relations have enjoyed healthy and stable development. Political trust between the two countries' has been enhanced and cooperation in various fields has been strengthened. The two sides have firmly supported each other in international and regional affairs. I'm ready to work with you to implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of our two countries and promote the China-Maldives futureoriented all-round friendly and cooperative partnership with greater development.

May I wish the Maldives prosperity and its people health and happiness.

May I wish China-Maldives friendship everlasting!

H.E. Wang Lixin Ambassador of the People's Republic of China

This year marks the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Over the past 73 years, Earthshaking changes have taken place in China.The Communist Party of China has united and led the Chinese people in working hard and forging ahead and successfully created a "Chinese miracle" marked by rapid economic development and sustainable social stability. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we have successfully built a moderately prosperous society in all respects and fulfilled the first centenary goal. We are embarking on a new journey to fully build a modern socialist country, march toward the second centenary goal, to advance toward the grand goal of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Most importantly, over the past 10 years, China has made historic changes and achievements in various fields: The country’s GDP reached 114 trillion yuan in 2021 from 53.9 trillion yuan in 2012, accounting for 18.5 percent of the world's total in 2021 up from 11.4% in 2012, with per capita GDP jumping to $12,500 from $6300, becoming the second largest economy in the world ; 98.99 million rural residents living below the current poverty line have been lifted out of poverty; The middle-income population exceeds 400 million; Average life expectancy reached 78.2 years; Significant improvement in air, water and soil quality; The people's satisfaction with the ecological environment has reached more than 90%. The carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP decreased by 34.4%, the proportion of clean energy consumption increased from 14.5% to 25.5%, and the installed capacity of hydropower, wind energy, solar energy and biomass power generation ranked first in the world; All the investment in R&D increased by 1.7 times; the country rose to 12th on the Global Innovation Index 2021, up from 34th in 2012, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization, ranking first in the number of international patent applications for three consecutive years; In the Global Business Environment ranking, China rose from 96th to 31st and become the world's second largest consumer market and the total value of

China's goods and services trade ranks top globally. Over the past 10 years, China has continuously promoted the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, actively worked for a new type of international relations, and put forward the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, and shared development opportunities by high-quality "Belt and Road Initiative" cooperation and signed more than 200 "Belt and Road Initiative" cooperation agreements with 149 countries and 32 international organizations by July 2022. We have contributed an average of over 30% to global growth every year, provided more than 2.2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines for more than 120 countries and international organizations, and contributed greater Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions, and Chinese strength to the reform and development of the international system and international governance.

This year is of great historical significance in the development of the CPC and China, as the 20th CPC National Congress will be convened on 16th of October. This Congress in response to the expectation of all the Chinese people, has set well-conceived goals and tasks for China’s development in the next five years and beyond, and drew an overarching plan for China’s future development. We believe that under the strong leadership of CPC, Chinese people will create new achievements on the new journey toward the grand goal of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Maldives. Over the past half a century, China-Maldives relations have withstood the test of international vicissitudes and become more mature and stable. China and the Maldives have been upholding the spirit of friendship and neighborliness, respecting each other, treating each other as equals, helping each other sincerely, understanding and supporting each other on issues concerning the two countries’ core interests and major concerns. China highly appreciates the Maldivian government’s longstanding commitment on one-China policy. China firmly supports the Maldives in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and national dignity and helps the Maldives in social and economic development. The China-Maldives relations have become a model of friendly exchanges, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation between countries with different systems and cultures in international arena.

In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Maldives relations have maintained a good momentum of steady development. In September 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a historic state visit to Maldives and the two sides agreed to establish future-oriented all-round friendly and cooperative partnership, lifting the China-Maldives relations to a new level. In July 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping had a phone call with Maldivian President Ibrahim Solih and reached important consensus on deepening and expanding exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two countries, setting the direction for the future development of the bilateral relations. In January 2022, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid a successful visit to Maldives with fruitful outcomes, opening a new chapter in China-Maldives relations. Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid visited China twice over the past year, which enhanced the mutual trust and friendship between the leaders of the two countries, and laid a sound foundation for the future development of bilateral relations.

As an all-round friendly and cooperative partner, China has been always strongly supporting the Maldives to speed up economic and social development and improve self-development capability. Recent years have witnessed fruitful results on jointly building the "Belt and Road" by China and Maldives. The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge is a landmark project of the “Belt and Road Initiative” which has brought enormous changes to the Maldives.

Since it opens to traffic 4 year ago, the bridge has witnessed over 100 million crossings by the local people and has dramatically promoted the sustainable development of Maldivian economy and society. So far Chinese companies has completed more than 11,000 social housing units, which have contributed a lot in the improvement of living conditions of thousands and thousands of Maldivian families. Power generation and power grid connection built by Chinese companies meet 80% of all electricity demand of the residents and enterprises in the Greater Malé. The newly upgraded and expanded Velana International Airport Project has been put into operation and will promote the development of Maldivian tourism in leaps and bounds. The great contributions made by the Chinese side to the development of Maldivian economy and society will further enhance the solid friendship between the two peoples.

Looking into the future on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the two countries should continue with the

Excellency,

On behalf of the Government and people of Maldives, and on my own behalf, I wish to extend warm greetings and best wishes to Your Excellency, the Government, and the friendly people of China as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Maldives and the People’s Republic of China.

Maldives and China have always enjoyed a long history of friendship and cooperation. The last two decades have especially witnessed immense contribution from China to the social, cultural, and economic development of the Maldives. Earlier this year, as we launched the celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations, five agreements were concluded between Maldives and China. I am confident that the new momentum built with these agreements will pave the way for greater bilateral cooperation in the future.

The Maldives-China relationship is anchored in a strong foundation of shared historic bonds, sovereign equality and mutual respect for one another. It is also based on the Maldives’ firm commitment to the One-China Principle. I am confident that the long-standing ties of friendship and collaboration that we have shared over the past 50 years will continue to deepen and widen.

Once again let me take this opportunity to congratulate and extend my best wishes to the Government and people of China on this joyous occasion.

H.E. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih H.E. Abdulla Shahid H.E. Wang Yi

President of the Republic of Maldives Foreign Minister of the Republic of Maldives

Excellency, I take this opportunity to extend warm greetings and best wishes to Your Excellency, the Government, and the friendly people of China on the very special occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Maldives and the People’s Republic of China.

Over the past 50 years, the relationship between our two peoples have stood the test of time, becoming one of friendship and close cooperation. The contributions made by China towards the Maldives’ socio-economic development has been extraordinary, positively inducing economic growth in multiple spheres.

The Maldives will continue to make every effort to further improve its bilateral relations with China, which is founded upon our shared respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the Maldives’ firm commitment to the One-China Principle. I look forward to a period of close engagement and collaboration, and our collective efforts to further enhance our long-standing bilateral ties in the years ahead.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

past and open up the future, promote all-round cooperation to a new high and write a new chapter for the friendly and mutuallybeneficial cooperation with a more far-reaching eyesight and broader vision:

Firstly, both sides should blueprint and steer the future development of China-Maldives relations under the guidance of the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries.

Secondly, both sides should adhere to the valuable experience to ensure the steady and smooth development of the bilateral relations.

Thirdly, both sides should deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in full scale so as to benefit the people of the two countries. Finally, both sides should expand the people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

We believe that with the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic ties as a new starting point, China and the Maldives will enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation and deepen friendship, jointly embark on a new journey of China-Maldives relations and promote the future-oriented all-round friendly and cooperative partnership between China and Maldives to a new level.

At present, the COVID-19 pandemic has kept resurfacing. Global security faces uncertainty. Global economic recovery is fragile and unsteady, and various risks and crises are emerging. The world has entered a new phase of turbulence and transformation. Changes unseen in a century are accelerating. At the same time, the world continues to move toward multi-polarity; economic globalization is deepening, and our societies are becoming increasingly digitized and culturally diversified. Indeed, countries are becoming ever more interconnected and interdependent. Peace and development remain the underlying trend of our times. Around the world, the people’s call for progress and cooperation is getting louder than ever before. China will work with other countries to make every effort for peace and development, shoulder the responsibility for solidarity and progress, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and embrace an even better world.

I would like to take this opportunity to express heartfelt thanks to friends from all walks of life who have long cared about and supported the development of China-Maldives relations. I wish our great country prosperity and the people health and happiness. I wish China-Maldives relations progress continuously and ChinaMaldives friendship flourish forever. Thank you!

The Maldives president, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom paid a state visit to the People's Republic of China in October 1984 at the invitation of Chinese president Li Xiannian.

The occasion marked the first visit to the country by a Maldivian president since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Maldives in 1972.

Agreements on economic and technical cooperation and mutual exemption of visa were signed by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian and Maldivian Foreign Minister Fathulla Jameel in the presence of President Maumoon and President Li.

In addition to the signing of agreements which had laid the foundation that fostered the strong ties between the two nations,

President Maumoon had met the Chairman of the Central Advisory Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Deng Xiaoping on the second day of his state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the people in Beijing.

First State Visit to People's Republic of China by a Maldivian President President Xi Jinping’s Historic State visit to Maldives

Chairman Deng reiterated that the people of China hope for a peaceful international environment to ensure development and prosperity.

This historic visit enhanced mutual trust and cooperation leading to further high-level exchanges between the two nations covering areas of socioeconomic and infrastructure development.

Fast Forward to 50 years and the unwavering commitment and support by both nations to maintain friendly relations and provide assistance are seen time and time again.

China-Maldives Friendship bridge; a Symbol of Close Relations Spanning 50 Years

On September 14, 2014, H.E. President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China paid a historic state visit to the Maldives, the first of its kind to the island nation since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1972.

The presidential couple were warmly welcomed by the Maldives government along with an enthusiastic crowd of local residents donned in traditional costumes at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (Now Velana International Airport).

The visit marked further developments in cooperative partnership between China and Maldives, with both nations agreeing to enhance fields of education, human resource and health by facilitating staff training programs and providing additional scholarships for Maldivian students.

This fruitful visit is of great significance to the Maldives as agreements were made to construct the Sinamale’ Bridge and upgrade the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport.

Since then, high-level exchanges between China and Maldives have cemented the deep-rooted ties between the nations.

Chinese Support to Maldives Moving towards Green Energy

Relations between China and Maldives dates back to hundreds of years, with a Chinese record from the Tang Dynasty (618-907AD) documenting a Maldivian delegation visiting China with gifts from King Baladitiya to Emperor Kao-Tsung in 658 AD and again in 662 AD.

Since the establishment of bilateral ties between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Maldives in 1972, the two nations have formed an amicable relationship of mutual respect, understanding and cooperative partnership. One of the key milestones eternalizing this friendship is the China-Maldives friendship bridge.

Sinamale’ Bridge (China-Maldives Friendship Bridge), a project under the China Aid program, exemplifies the close bilateral relations between the two nations. The successful completion of the bridge in less than 3 years epitomizes mutual trust and cooperation of Maldives and China.

The mega project, achieving key technical breakthroughs in design and construction, is a pioneering example in the construction of large bridges over deep exposed ocean environments with a coral reef geology.

Sinamale’ bridge - spanning 1.39 km in length connects Male’, Hulhule’ and Hulhumale’ and has till date, witnessed more than 100 million movements since it opened four years ago on August 30, 2018.

As a major milestone in the 50 years of historic relations between China and Maldives, this project has brought transformative changes to the people of Maldives, providing convenience to everyday commutes, in addition to paving the way to new business avenues, greatly contributing to the economic and social development of the nation.

Prior to the bridge, people had to take a 30-minute ferry-ride to cross a 10 km route from Male’ to Hulhumale’, which has now been transformed into a short 10-minute journey across the bridge.

China and Maldives enjoy a natural affinity in terms of their close proximity, shared values of peace, friendship, and mutual understanding. Both countries have been strengthening their bilateral relations over their fivedecade long cooperation, with a focus on deepening ties in key areas such as trade and investment, fisheries, tourism, marine sciences and education.

Maintaining this momentum, China has been extending its support to the development of Maldives through various programs and projects in recent times.

The cooperation between China and Maldives in solar energy is one important example. With abundant solar resources and high potential for renewable energy development, Maldives is the perfect partner for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Solar Energy Cooperation Projects.

The Maldivian government's first experimental solar energy plant was set up in the island of Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Thinadhoo. The Solar Energy Power Station was launched in January 2014 and now supplies 50 percent of the island's electricity.

The 1.5MW solar power station in Hulhumalé, built by China Machinery and Engineering Corporation (CMEC), went into operation in March 2018. It has an average monthly production of 230,000 KW and powers 56 buildings including a local mosque.

Agreements on the implementation of PV-ESS-Diesel Generator Hybrid Power Plants in Haa Alifu and Haa Dhaalu Atoll, designed by Trina Solar from China, were signed on April 30 and May 24, respectively, to help the Maldives rapidly achieve its "2030 carbon neutral" goal.

The

Although many bridge projects around the world have been easily completed, CCCC faced substantial challenges in realizing the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge. However, the hard work put in completing the bridge is a testament to the close friendship of both countries.

The opening of the bridge marks the realization of a long-held dream by the people of Maldives.

The hybrid power plants across 14 islands in the Haa Alifu Atoll was completed on September 30 2018, producing 3,910,000KWh of renewable electricity annually while saving 1,303,000 liters of diesel and lowering 3,050 tons of CO2 emissions.

The hybrid power plants on 13 islands in the Haa Dhaalu Atoll was completed on April 27 of this year, producing 5,950,000KWh of renewable electricity annually while consuming 1,983,000 liters less diesel and emitting 4,641 tons of less CO2.

Chinese aid in providing the Maldives with energy transformation solutions cements their commitment to help achieve the island nation’s carbon neutral goal.

A photograph of the Sinamale' Bridge - the largest infrastructural project undertaken in the Maldives till date.

Employees of CCCC at work on the Sinamale’ bridge

Hybrid power plants set up in 13 islands in Haa Dhaalu Atoll which produce 5,950,000KWh renewable electricity each year

Hulhumale’ has become a destination for thousands of people to travel out of the congested environment of Male’ City, the catalyst being the mega project; Sinamale’ Bridge.

presidential pledge of former President Abdulla Yameen was brought to fruition by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), by working 24 hours a day continuously for four years, symbolizing the strong bilateral relations between Maldives and China.

China-Maldives Friendship, a Strength for the Island Nation

China State Construction Engineering (CSCEC), offering 7000 housing units in 16 buildings in Hulhumalé, was completed. A residential building with a dominating skyline covered in red, yellow, blue, green, and purple paint has emerged, providing comfort for thousands of locals looking for affordable housing.

The largest social housing project in Maldives history to date, has addressed housing shortages and sky-high rental pricing in the congested capital, Malé. In 2009, the 4,000 housing units for the welfare of people were agreed upon by the Maldivian Ministry of Housing and CMEC.

With a total building area of more than 360,000 square meters, the project was intended to be completed in three parts. It is the largest civilian housing project in Maldives history and one of the nation’s

most important livelihood projects.

To date, more than 11,000 homes for the Maldives have been built.

The two nations have made significant progress in the areas of housing, infrastructure, transportation, and energy.

The recent growth of the Maldives is evidence that the unity between China-Maldives is getting stronger with the chance to develop and trade to the highest extent possible. Additionally, it gives emerging nations the chance to truly “stand on their own feet” by creating the infrastructure necessary for later independent development.

The Chinese government’s support extended towards the social and economic welfare of the island nation is standing strong, to build a better tomorrow for the island’s citizens.

China-Maldives friendship is a steadfastly evolving one, built on a strong foundation of trust and resilience. 50 years of diplomatic ties between China and Maldives have strengthened bilateral relationships and improved living circumstances for the Maldivian people.

The first phase of the Hulhumalé Housing Project, which included 56 structures and 1000 housing units, was completed in December 2012. Former Maldives President Abdulla Yameen and Chinese President Xi Jinping presented the nameplate of the Housing Project Phase 2, which provides 1500 housing units across 9 islands and 5 atolls, on September 15, 2014, during Xi’s state visit to the Maldives.

In March 2020, the Hiyaa Flats housing project, built by

China and Maldives; a Bond of Mutual Trust and Cooperation

On February 4, 2020 the Maldivian government donated one million canned tuna to the Chinese government. This was an earnest gesture of goodwill extended by the island nation towards the people of China.

Both of these instances are testament towards the mutual respect and cooperation between the countries.

The strong affinity between both nations were proven yet again on May 2, 2020 when a chartered flight arrived in the Maldives carrying a batch of medical supplies including ventilators, sampling sticks, medical protective suits, medical masks among several other supplies. The items, a donation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the People's Republic of China, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Alibaba and the Chinese enterprises in the Maldives to assist the Maldivian people fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

On March 24 and 30 last year, two batches of 200,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines and syringes were flown into the Maldives - a donation from the Chinese government to the Maldivian people, to help the latter with the vaccination program.

The gesture is not only proof of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s commitment of China’s vaccine provided for global public benefit, but another strong sign of the country’s friendship with the Maldives. China affirmed to remain in its commitment to enhance the cooperation with the Maldives, and assist the island nation in

China-Maldives; Growing Ties through Culture and Education

Since the establishment of intergovernmental cooperation between the island nation of Maldives and China, in 1972, both nations and its people have played a key role in fostering mutual trust, respect and assistance over five decades of bilateral relations.

China’s tremendous contributions in the growth and development of the socioeconomic status of the Maldives have made significant improvements in the lives of the Maldivian people.

These exchanges have maintained the momentum of deepening ties between China and the Maldives. One area of development includes the myriad of educational programs and cultural exchanges between the two nations.

Establishment of China Maldives Cultural Association (CMCA) in 2015 cemented the partnership between Maldivian artists with their Chinese counterparts, facilitating deep exposure to arts, culture and tradition of the two countries.

Each year CMCA provides scholarships to three students to pursue education of their choice in China, based on their academic and cocurricular activities. This includes the opportunity to take part in cultural exchange programs where they get to broaden their knowledge and understand more about the culture and traditions of China, allowing them to break pre-made biases, build friendships

its fight against the viral pandemic.

The mutual assistance, rapport and humanity shown between the two countries shredded any disparities the two countries had in terms of their economic strength or geographical sizes.

The global pandemic was yet another instance where the friendship between the countries were visible and evident. China affirms it will remain without wavering in its support to the people of Maldives.

and gain experiences.

In 2021, the School of Asian Studies of Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) held the opening ceremony of the Dhivehi language program, marking the first time in history that a Maldives language course was offered in a Chinese university.

The introduction of a Dhivehi language course at BFSU is not only a testimony to the long-standing friendly bilateral relations between Maldives and China, but also exemplary for the international community to build ties and develop further engagement between a large country and a country of smaller size.

Recently in 2022, Villa College of Maldives in collaboration with Chang’an University and Hunan Mass Media Vocational and Technical College of China opened a Chinese Language Center, offering training programs for all age groups to assist easy communication under different circumstances.

Aerial view of the Housing projects completed in Hulhumale phase I in December 2012

Hiyaa Housing project constructed by CSCEC provides 7000 housing units with 16 buildings in Hulhumalé phase II

On 27th March, 2020, Yunnan Province of China donated a large number of medical supplies including disposable protective masks, N95 protective masks and goggles supporting the Maldivian government fight against Covid-19.

On 24 March, 2021, the first batch of the Sinopharm vaccine arrived at Velana Airport. The Chinese government donated 200,000 doses Covid-19 vaccines to Maldivian government

Students from China and Maldives during the cultural exchange program of Beijing Huiming School to Addu City

On January 8 2022, during the visit by H.E. Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China to Maldives. China and Maldives signed the Agreement on China-Maldives Eye Center

Maldives president, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom paid a state visit to China in October of 1984, marking the first visit to China by a Maldivian president since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Maldivian Embassy opens in China

Completion of Sinamale' Bridge.

Completion of 1,000 unit housing development project Phase I in Hulhumale’ under Chinese aid.

Maldives receives first batch of the 200,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccines donated by the Government of China

Expansion and upgrading of Velana International Airport project completed with new runway and seaplane terminal

Emergency relief assistance worth USD 500,000 provided by the Chinese government to Tsunami-hit Maldives