On January 5, 2017, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Beijing with Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Asim of Maldives, who was paying an official visit to China.

Wang Yi said that China and Maldives enjoy traditional friendship. The two countries always understand and support each other on issues concerning respective core interests. President Xi Jinping paid a historic state visit to Maldives in 2014, upgrading China-Maldives relations to a future-oriented comprehensive friendly and cooperative partnership and advancing bilateral cooperation to a new ascending channel. The year 2017 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations. Both countries should carry forward traditional friendship and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation based on the development blueprint co-designed by leaders of both countries, so as to push China-Maldives relations for more and new achievements.

Wang Yi pointed out that both sides should maintain high-level exchanges, enhance political mutual trust, deepen the "Belt and Road" cooperation and push forward major cooperation projects including China-Maldives Friendship Bridge as well as the free trade negotiation between China and Maldives. The two countries should also well host celebration activities of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations and expand cooperation in such fields as tourism, culture, sports, youth and maritime sectors.

Mohamed Asim expressed that Maldives-China relations are close and friendly. Firmly upholding the one-China policy, Maldives appreciates China's adherence to the five principles of peaceful coexistence. Under the care and promotion of leaders of both countries, Maldives-China Friendship Bridge and other projects have undergone smooth progress, which will bring great welfare to the Maldivian people. The Maldivian side sincerely thanks the Chinese government's support and assistance to Maldives' economic development and livelihood improvement, and hopes to deeply participate in the "Belt and Road" initiative and tap potential in bilateral practical cooperation. Maldives stands ready to, together with China, take the 45th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations as an opportunity to maintain exchanges at all levels and enlarge the depth and breadth of bilateral cooperation in various fields, so that Maldives-China traditional friendship can demonstrate new vitality and vigor under the new situation.

Both sides also exchanged views on climate change, the UN reform, China-South Asia cooperation and international and regional topics of common concern.