Relations between Maldives and China appear strong and vibrant, says Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid.

While the minister concluded a successful trip to China on Saturday, his visit has visibly strengthened the friendly ties between both countries, that have existed over many years.

Some of the meetings through which discussions of views and ideas for future collaboration were exchanged include with Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan, State Counsellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Wang Yi Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of AIIB, D J Pandian and President of BUCG International of the Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG), Li Daosong.

During the visit, where the minister also met with the Maldivian community residing there, Shahid gave interviews and held interactions with Chinese media CCTV and Xinhua News Agency.

Some of the highlights of the official visit include the signing of an agreement and two Memorandums of Understanding.

Signed were the “Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives on Strengthening Cooperation” and the “Memorandum of Understanding on Sports Cooperation between the General Administration of Sport of China and the Ministry of Youth Sports and Community Empowerment of Maldives.”

The “Agreement on the Economic and Technical Cooperation to provide grant assistance between the Government of China and the Government of Maldives” was also signed.

The Maldives delegation, led by Minister Shahid consisted of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel, Multilateral Secretary Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed, Director of Communications Miuvaan Mohamed and Assistant Director Maryam Bassama Farooq.