On February 19, 2017, President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom of Maldives met in Malé with Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou who was there to attend the 6th round of China-Maldives diplomatic consultation.

Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom said that Maldives highly cherishes its friendship with China and regards China as a trustworthy cooperation partner. President Xi Jinping paid a historic visit to Maldives in 2014. Both sides have reached important consensus on advancing cooperation in various fields within the "Belt and Road" framework. Maldives is satisfied with the progress of China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, the expansion of Malé International Airport, housing construction and other projects. Maldives firmly upholds the one-China policy and admires China's contributions to improving people's livelihood and promoting world economic development. It is hoped that China will continue to provide precious support for the economic and social development of Maldives.

Kong Xuanyou expressed that China regards Maldives as an important cooperation partner in advancing the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative. The two Foreign Ministries will intensify coordination, and actively and well implement the important consensus reached by leaders of both countries, so as to make sure that the on-going cooperation projects will be accomplished on schedule and with good quality. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-Maldives diplomatic relationship. China is willing to take this as an opportunity to, together with Maldives, further strengthen the docking of development strategies, maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges and expand exchanges and cooperation in infrastructure, tourism, maritime affairs, culture, education, medical treatment and other fields in a bid to provide assistance and support within its capacity for the sustainable development of Maldives's economy and society.