Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives Wang Fukang has said that joint cooperation between Maldives and China was essential to bolster the progress of the China led Silk Route initiative.
He made the statement speaking in the opening ceremony of “Breathtaking Blue”, an exhibition highlighting the years old relationship between the two nations.
Ambassador noted that the exhibition is taking place in the National Museum, which was developed as part of the Silk Road initiative.
Ambassador Wang also noted that the two nations had signed cooperation agreement on mutual areas in the visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping. He added that Maldives was a vital partner in the Silk Road project.
Ambassador Wang further said that the China Maldives Friendship Bridge and Airport Expansion project, two projects under the Silk Road initiative, was carried out on the behest of President Abdullah Yameen.
He said that China will give high priority for any project that will bring success to the Maldives, noting that many Chinese businesses have invested in the resort sector.
Ambassador Wang added that campaigns are run in China to promote Maldivian tourism.
“The largest number of tourists came from China. The number of Chinese tourists to Maldives had increased by 40 percent,” he said.
Ambassador Wang said that this year alone, China had given education and training opportunities for 300 Maldivians, adding that this will increase in the coming years.
Joint cooperation required to bolster Silk Route progress: Ambassador
