Maldives, China ink key deals, agree on visa exemption visa exemption
The Hindu
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is on a five-nation trip to Eritrea, Kenya, the island nation of Comoros, the Maldives and Sri Lanka
Maldives and Chinaon Saturday signed key bilateral agreements during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit, on developing and maintaining infrastructure in the Indian Ocean archipelago, besides agreeing on a visa-free travel arrangement for Maldivians intending to travel to China.
Mr. Wang arrived in Male on Friday, as part of his five-nation trip to Eritrea, Kenya, the island nation of Comoros, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and his Chinese counterpart unveiled a special official logo to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between the countries. Describing China as “one of the most important development partners” of the Maldives, Mr. Shahid said that China “has continued to contribute to the socio-economic development” of the Maldives. The Foreign Ministers discussed “strengthening the many areas of cooperation” during official talks, according to Mr. Shahid’s tweet on Saturday.