Key bilateral agreements on infrastructure development and maintenance in the Indian Ocean archipelago were signed on Saturday by Maldivians and Chinese officials during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to the country. The two countries also agreed on a visa-free travel arrangement for Maldivians who intend on travelling to China.
As part of a five-country tour that will take him to Eritrea, Kenya, the island nation of Comoros as well as the Maldives and Sri Lanka, Mr. Wang landed in Male on Friday evening.
A new official emblem to commemorate 50 years of diplomatic ties between the Maldives and China was introduced by Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and his Chinese counterpart. In his speech, Mr. Shahid described China as "one of the most significant development partners" of the Maldives, adding that China "has continued to contribute to the socio-economic growth" of his country. According to Mr. Shahid's tweet on Saturday, the Foreign Ministers talked about "strengthening the numerous areas of cooperation" during their official meetings.
According to a statement released by the Maldivian Foreign Ministry, the visa-waiver agreement would allow Maldivians to travel to China on a 30-day visa-free basis after the current limitations are eliminated. They signed an agreement on 'Economic and Technical Cooperation' on grant aid, with the emphasis being on initiatives that benefit people's livelihoods and infrastructure in the developing world. The Maldives government also signed a "Letter of Exchange" on a "Feasibility Study of Management and Maintenance of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge" in exchange for Chinese assistance with the upkeep of the 1.4-kilometer bridge that connects the capital Male with the island of Hulhumale. The bridge connects the islands of Male and Hulhumale.
Construction began during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen, whose government was close to the Chinese government and received help in the amount of $200 million. Located in the Maldives, the bridge is widely regarded as China's most important construction undertaking in the country. In the form of earlier loans, Male owes Beijing over $1.4 billion, which President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration has attempted to "restructure."
As reported by the Foreign Ministry, China has also promised to support a sea-water desalination project and to collaborate in the health sector. In a tweet, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Wang Lixin stated that Minister Wang's visit will be of "significant significance to the future development of our bilateral ties."
It is expected that New Delhi would pay special attention to the arrival of the Chinese Foreign Minister, since the Indian government has maintained frequent, high-level interaction with the Solih government, which openly pursues a "India First" foreign policy. New Delhi pledged $ 1.4 billion to the development of the island country, which has a population of around 5.5 lakh people, following the regime transition in Male in December 2018.
Additionally, Mr. Wang's visit coincides with the growth of an anti-"Indian military presence" campaign in the Maldives by groups within the nation who oppose "Indian military presence." In response to the allegations, the administration has refuted them. The 'India Out' movement has gained momentum in recent months, thanks to the support of President Yameen, whose conviction in a money laundering case was recently reversed by the Supreme Court.
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