Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister visits 'Friendship Bridge' project site

China's Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kong Xuanyou visited the sites of the ongoing projects under the Chinese government on Saturday, including the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge.

The Assistant Minister arrived in the Maldives on Friday, on a three-day official visit. He is in the country to take part in the sixth round of consultations between the foreign ministries of both countries. Xuanyou will also call on President Abdulla Yameen, during his trip.

In addition to the bridge project site, the sites he visited on Saturday include; Velana International Airport and Social Housing project site in Hulhumale'.

During the site visits, Assitant Minister Xuanyou was briefed on the progress of the projects, said the Foreign Ministry.

The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge and Velana International Airport project are "two flagship mega projects" of President Yameen's government. Chinese EXIM Bank has granted a US$373 million loan for upgrading and developing the airport, with the bridge being a key pledge in President Yameen's presidential campaign.

Back in 2015, the President had said that the bridge, along with the expansion of the airport "will change the Maldives' landscape."

While the government signed a contract with CCCC Second Harbor Engineering Company in December 2015, the Chinese government had agreed to finance the US$210 million during President Xi Jinping's visit to the Maldives in September 2014.

During the trip, President Jinping said that China will support the bridge and other development projects, adding that China wishes "to establish a future-oriented all-round friendly and cooperative partnership with the Maldives."

Developing Hulhumale' to 'Youth City' is also one of the key pledges of President Yameen's presidential bid.