On 9 April, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi took a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid of Maldives.

Wang said that China has been protecting the health and safety of its people and contributing to global public health throughout its outbreak response. The extraordinary efforts China had made bought valuable time and provided useful experience for the world. Guided by President Xi Jinping's vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, China is providing much-needed medical supplies to more than 120 countries. The attempt to stigmatize China is doomed to fail. It does not help the response to COVID-19 at either the national or global level. It will receive no support from the international community. China appreciates Maldives' objective and fair position on this matter.

Wang noted that Maldives, in light of its national circumstances, adopted forceful measures early on during the outbreak, which has contained the spread of the virus to the maximum extent possible. China is confident that under the leadership of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Maldives will defeat the virus.

Wang said that China and Maldives are good friends and have always helped each other in trying times. China is ready to support and help Maldives according to its needs, carry out exchanges and cooperation between experts and share response experience with Maldives. Wang expressed confidence that China-Maldives relationship will emerge even stronger from the outbreak.

Shahid conveyed Maldives' deep appreciation for China's constructive role in the global COVID-19 response. He said that Maldives firmly opposes any discriminatory practices and stigmatization against China and the Chinese people. China is doing everything possible to help other countries and share experience in fighting the outbreak. China is a shining example of solidarity. Maldives is grateful for China's timely assistance of medical supplies and is willing to strengthen cooperation on outbreak response to overcome the challenge together.