Maldives and China have signed five key agreements on important areas such as infrastructure development, health and travel.

As part of State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Wang Yi’s ongoing official visit to Maldives, the signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday, where the Chinese foreign minister was joined by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid.

The “Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption between the Government of the Republic of Maldives and the Government of the People’s Republic of China” will allow Maldivians to travel to China on a visa-free basis for 30 days once the restrictions of Covid-19 have been lifted.

Further, the “Agreement of Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Maldives and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Grand Aid” focuses on the development of key areas including social, livelihood, and infrastructure projects.

The first two agreements were signed by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Khaleel.

The “Letter of Exchange on the Feasibility Study of Management and Maintenance of China-Maldives Friendship Bridge” was signed by the Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, Mohamed Aslam.

In addition to this, the “Supplementary Contract to the Implementation Contract for China Aided Micro-Grid Sea-water Desalination Project in the Maldives” was signed by the Minister of State for National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, Akram Kamauludeen.

The last agreement, on establishing a Hospital Assistance and Cooperation Programme between the Ministry of Health of Maldives and the National Health Commission of China, was signed by the Minister of Health, Ahmed Naseem.

The agreement signing ceremony was followed by a joint statement by FM Shahid and Minister Yi.

The government believes the agreements signed on Saturday will “directly” benefit the people of Maldives. As such, their quality of health services will be boosted and the agreements will also provide additional outlets for sea water desalination and will assist the Maldivian government to maintain the flagship China-Maldives Friendship Bridge.

The Chinese State Councilor arrived in the Maldives on an official visit on Friday upon the invitation of FM Shahid.

The visit is part of efforts by both countries to solidify the long-standing bilateral ties between Maldives and China, as well as to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries.

The visit will see the Chinese minister paying a courtesy call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as well.

The foreign ministers of Maldives and China engaged in extensive bilateral talks on Saturday afternoon.

Maldives accords China as one of the most important development partners. China continues to contribute to the socio-economic development of Maldives, in several areas of significance.