On September 19, 2019, Vice President Wang Qishan met with Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid of the Maldives at Zhongnanhai.

Wang Qishan said, inclusiveness is the gene of Chinese civilization spanning five thousand years. China has always upheld and implemented the principle of mutual respect, equal treatment, and mutual benefit and win-win results regardless of the system and size of a country. The process of China-Maldives friendly cooperation since both countries established diplomatic relations 47 years ago is a vivid practice of this principle. President Xi Jinping paid a historic visit to the Maldives in 2014, opening up a new chapter for the future-oriented comprehensive friendly and cooperative partnership between the two countries. The Chinese nation has a profound history and culture and after 70 years' hard work, it has stood up, grown rich and is making arduous efforts to become strong. The Chinese side is ready to work with the Maldivian side to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative with high quality, promote the sustained and healthy development of bilateral relations, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Abdullah Shahid expressed his warm congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. He said, China is the Maldives' great neighbor, generous cooperative partner and trustworthy friend. The Maldivian side thanked the Chinese government and people for the aid they have provided, and will continue to deepen cooperation with China and jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative.