Establishing a military base is 'not a precondition' for military cooperation: Amb Lizhong
The ambassador denied reports of plans to establish a military base in Maldives
Chinese ambassador to Maldives Zhang Lizhong with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
China has denied reports of plans to establish a military base in Maldives, saying that it is not a precondition ‘for normal military cooperation’.
On Thursday, Chinese ambassador to Maldives, Zhang Lizhong, noted that both countries ‘have maintained friendly military cooperation and exchange of visits’ in the past.
“China has provided dozens of training opportunities to MNDF personnel annually,” the ambassador said, adding that it also recently donated a fully-equipped sea ambulance to the Maldives National Defence Force.
Ambassador Lizhong added that “friendly military cooperation is an important part of our all-round bilateral cooperation”.
While there have been reports that China has been eyeing a naval base in Maldives as part of its plans to build ‘strategic support bases’ in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), Defence Minister Mariya Didi on Wednesday said that the country will not be hosting any foreign military bases.
Furthermore, foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid tweeted on Wednesday night said that the Maldives "will not be accepting any aid under terms that compromises its safety and sovereignty".
Shahid is to travel to China soon, as part of his ‘tour of friendly nations’.
