On October 31, the “2025 Xiamen–Laamu Marathon,” supported by the Chinese Embassy in the Maldives and the Xiamen Municipal People’s Government, was held on the China-aided Laamu Atoll Link Road. The event attracted nearly 900 participants from multiple countries, including the Maldives, China, Bangladesh, India, and Nepal etc. Additional race categories included half marathon, 10 km, 5 km, 3 km, and Kids Fun run. Chinese Ambassador H.E.Mr Kong Xianhua and Chairman of the Laamu Atoll Council Mr. Ali delivered remarks. The Chinese Embassy and Chinese enterprises in the Maldives participated the event and local residents registered with great enthusiasm.

    Ambassador Kong stated that the Laamu Atoll Link Road is a key project of China–Maldives Belt and Road cooperation. The spirit embodied in marathon sports — perseverance, unity, and self-transcendence — vividly reflects the friendship between China and the Maldives. He expressed confidence that sports cooperation will continue to bring the hearts of the two peoples closer together and promote the development of bilateral relations to become faster, higher, stronger, and more united.