China and Maldives are friendly neighbors, and the traditional friendship between the two peoples dates back to ancient times. In September 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to the Maldives at the invitation of his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. The two presidents agreed to establish a future-oriented all-round friendly and cooperative partnership between their two countries. The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of China-Maldives relations. Over the past 50 years of diplomatic ties between China and Maldives, the two countries have always respected and supported each other, which has set a good example of countries of different sizes treating each other as equals and seeking win-win cooperation. China highly appreciates that the Maldivian government has been firmly committed to the one-China principle. 

In recent years, the two countries tided over difficulties together and offered helping hands to each other, worked together to cope with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic unseen in a century, deepened cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiatives, opening up a new chapter for China-Maldives relations. China has provided 200,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines and a large amount of anti-epidemic materials to the Maldives. The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, a landmark project of the Belt and Road Initiative and the symbol of the profound friendship between China and Maldives, has witnessed over 100 million crossings by the local people over the past 5 years. So far the Chinese enterprises have completed more than 11,000 social housing units, and contributed a lot in improving the living conditions of the local residents in the Maldives. The newly upgraded and expanded Velana International Airport has doubled its transport capability and will greatly promote the development of Maldivian tourism. The Chinese enterprises have also extensively participated in such cooperation projects as new energy, power grids, office buildings, garbage disposal and so on in the Maldives. Facts have proved that close cooperation between China and Maldives has brought transformative effects to the Maldives and tangible benefits to the Maldivian people. China and Maldives are now embarking on a shared path of hope, prosperity and happiness.