The first couple of Maldives has concluded their state visit to the People's Republic of China.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed departed to China on the state visit on January 7 and concluded their five-day visit on Saturday.

The state visit was conducted upon an official invitation from the President of China, Xi Jinping.

This was the president’s first state visit to a foreign country since assuming office in November 2023. A high-level delegation of government officials accompanied the first couple during their state visit.

The Maldivian first couple was accorded a Guard of Honor when they arrived in China and were officially welcomed during a ceremony held on January 10 by President Xi Jinping and First Lady of China Peng Liyuan. The arrival of President Muizzu and FL Sajidha a 21-gun salute and the national anthems of both countries played by the Chinese Military Band.

As part of the visit, the first couple visited the Xiamen Free Trade Zone in China’s Fujian province.

Managing Director of Hunan Construction Investment Group (HCIG) Cai Dianwei and other senior officials from the group paid a courtesy call on the president during the visit.

Further, senior officials of the China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) paid a courtesy call on the president, alongside a number of Fujian Provincial leaders. Secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Fujian Provincial People's Congress Zhou Zuyi and Deputy Secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Party Committee and Governor of Fujian Province Zhao Long along with other Fujian Provincial leaders met the Maldivian leader on Monday.

During the meetings, the Maldivian leader shed light on the significance of China as a valued ally of his administration, as well as an integral associate in the development journey of the Maldives. Expressing hope to strengthen bilateral relations to new heights, Muizzu expressed commitment that the two countries would enhance collaborative efforts in multiple areas of mutual interest.

The visit also saw Sajidha visiting Sanfang Qixiang in Fuzhou, and Soong Qingling Science and Culture Centre for Young People in Bayi Lake in Yuyuantan in Beijing.

Muizzu delivered a statement at the Invest Maldives Forum at the Fuzhou Strait International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Fuzhou, during which he said that the vision of the Maldives for development is one of engagement, partnership building, and focused delivery.

Shedding light on the long-standing and fruitful government-to-government and business-to-business cooperation between Maldives and China, Muizzu expressed joy to witness the strong presence of businesses from both countries, at the forum.

Further, he touched upon the long-standing relationship between the two countries, which dates back to the ancient Maritime Silk Road.

Noting that China remains one of the closest allies and developmental partners of Maldives, Muizzu stated that Maldives became a party to President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative in 2014, which delivered significant infrastructure projects in the Maldives.

The Maldivian first couple also visited the Fujian Museum and the Hongdong Fishery Co. Ltd in Fuzhou.

They arrived in Beijing on Wednesday, where they visited the Chinese Communist Party Museum where they were given an overview showcasing Chinese culture, and significant historical moments, followed by a tour.

The President and First Lady also signed the guest book at the museum. President Dr. Muizzu mentioned in the message how well the exhibition illustrated the CCP's lengthy history in comprehending the party's development. He continued by praising the efforts made to preserve this significant era of Chinese history.

As part of the state visit, Muizzu and the Chinese president led official talks between the two governments.

During the talks, Muizzu expressed gratitude for China's significant role in the economic success of Maldives and for China's generous assistance in social housing, higher education, and infrastructure development of Maldives. The president also explored avenues for expanding tourism cooperation and air connectivity between the two countries.

Both leaders expressed confidence that the bilateral ties between the two countries will continue to strengthen in the future.

The official talks followed the signing of 20 key agreements between the two countries in the presence of President Muizzu and President Xi Jinping.

The First Couple of China hosted a state banquet in honor of the Maldivian First Couple as well.

Li Qiang, the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China and Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee Zhao Leji, President of the Beijing Urban Construction Group or BUCG International Chang Yongchun and Chairman of China Metallurgical Group Corporation Chen Jianguang paid courtesy calls on the Maldivian president during the visit.

On Thursday the Maldivian first couple attended a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Monument to the People’s Heroes in the Tiananmen Square, in China.

Muizzu also toured the Huawei Beijing Convention Center, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the National Satellite Meteorological Centre (NSMC) in Beijing, China.

The Maldivian first couple also toured the Great Wall of China.

As part of the visit, they also made time to meet the Maldivian community residing in Beijing.

The president engaged in discussions with the Maldivian community, to seek their experiences and challenges in residing in a foreign country away from home.

Muizzu shed light on the importance of take advantage of the opportunities to pursue higher education in foreign countries.

The Maldivian community residing in Beijing was assured of the Muizzu administration’s commitment to seek amicable solutions to the concerns and difficulties they face.

The Maldivian first couple undertook a visit to China at a time relations between India and Maldives have soured once again, over posts on social media platform ‘X’ by deputy ministers close to the president.