"Increasing our export of fish products to China is a key priority for us through the FTA," he added. The goal of the FTA is to enhance bilateral commerce and investments.
President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives made an appeal to China on Tuesday to "intensify" its efforts to bring more tourists to his nation, following a wave of Indian travelers canceling reservations due to a diplomatic spat sparked by his ministers' disparaging remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In his speech at the Maldives Business Forum in Fujian Province on Tuesday, Muizzu, who is currently on a five-day state visit to China, described China as the island nation's "closest" ally, saying, "China remains one of our closest allies and development partners."
He urged China to increase the flow of tourists to the Maldives, saying, "China was our (the Maldives') number one market pre-Covid, and it is my request that we intensify efforts for China to regain this position."
In his speech at the Maldives Business Forum in Fujian Province on Tuesday, Muizzu, who is currently on a five-day state visit to China, described China as the island nation's "closest" ally, saying, "China remains one of our closest allies and development partners."
He urged China to increase the flow of tourists to the Maldives, saying, "China was our (the Maldives') number one market pre-Covid, and it is my request that we intensify efforts for China to regain this position."
A readout posted on his official website stated that he praised the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2014, saying that they "delivered the most significant infrastructure projects witnessed in Maldivian history," according to his speech.
Additionally, according to Maldivian media, the two nations have inked a USD 50 million deal to establish an integrated tourism zone on the island in the Indian Ocean. Muizzu's call for more Chinese visitors coincided with a diplomatic spat over criticism of Prime Minister Modi made by some Maldivian ministers after the latter shared a video of himself on a spotless beach while on a recent trip to Lakshadweep. Three deputy ministers were suspended by Muizzu's government for their offensive posts on social media.
The Maldives Tourism Ministry previously released data showing that, as of 2023, India remained the country's largest tourist market with 209,198 arrivals, followed by Russia in second place with 209,146 arrivals and China in third place with 187,118 arrivals. The Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) also strongly condemned the disparaging remarks.
India continued to lead the Maldives tourism market in 2022 with 240,000 arrivals; Russia trailed closely behind with 198,000 tourists, and Britain came in third with over 177,000 arrivals. Prior to COVID, China topped the list with over 2.80 lakh tourists, but it is currently finding it difficult to boost both domestic and foreign tourism because of a nearly four-year lockdown policy and ongoing economic slowdown. As a result, Chinese tourists who took millions of trips overseas for vacations prior to COVID are now limiting themselves because of the slowdown.
Following the conclusion of his visit to Fujian, Muizzu arrived in Beijing on Tuesday, where he is scheduled to meet with Premier Li Ke Qiang and President Xi Jinping. Muizzu's accompanying Maldivian foreign minister, Moosa Zameer, stated that the president will take part in high-level meetings and discussions over the next three days, emphasizing that "our focus is on conveying the Government's priorities and exploring avenues for enhanced collaboration with China."
Muizzu, who is seen as a pro-China politician in the Maldives, told the Forum that his administration is committed to implementing the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China as soon as possible, viewing it as a symbol of the two nations' close commercial ties.
Additionally, according to Maldivian media, the two nations have inked a USD 50 million deal to establish an integrated tourism zone on the island in the Indian Ocean. Muizzu's call for more Chinese visitors coincided with a diplomatic spat over criticism of Prime Minister Modi made by some Maldivian ministers after the latter shared a video of himself on a spotless beach while on a recent trip to Lakshadweep. Three deputy ministers were suspended by Muizzu's government for their offensive posts on social media.
The Maldives Tourism Ministry previously released data showing that, as of 2023, India remained the country's largest tourist market with 209,198 arrivals, followed by Russia in second place with 209,146 arrivals and China in third place with 187,118 arrivals. The Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) also strongly condemned the disparaging remarks.
India continued to lead the Maldives tourism market in 2022 with 240,000 arrivals; Russia trailed closely behind with 198,000 tourists, and Britain came in third with over 177,000 arrivals. Prior to COVID, China topped the list with over 2.80 lakh tourists, but it is currently finding it difficult to boost both domestic and foreign tourism because of a nearly four-year lockdown policy and ongoing economic slowdown. As a result, Chinese tourists who took millions of trips overseas for vacations prior to COVID are now limiting themselves because of the slowdown.
Following the conclusion of his visit to Fujian, Muizzu arrived in Beijing on Tuesday, where he is scheduled to meet with Premier Li Ke Qiang and President Xi Jinping. Muizzu's accompanying Maldivian foreign minister, Moosa Zameer, stated that the president will take part in high-level meetings and discussions over the next three days, emphasizing that "our focus is on conveying the Government's priorities and exploring avenues for enhanced collaboration with China."
Muizzu, who is seen as a pro-China politician in the Maldives, told the Forum that his administration is committed to implementing the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China as soon as possible, viewing it as a symbol of the two nations' close commercial ties.
He also stated that his administration is focused on diversifying the Maldives' economic base and ensuring economic security while continuing to strengthen and drive the tourism industry and boost visitor numbers.
The FTA was signed in December 2014 between the Maldives and China during the administration of President Abdulla Yameen, who was pro-China. However, according to Maldivian media reports, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration did not carry out the agreement.
The FTA was signed in December 2014 between the Maldives and China during the administration of President Abdulla Yameen, who was pro-China. However, according to Maldivian media reports, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration did not carry out the agreement.
He stated that the FTA is a symbol of the close commercial ties between the two countries and that "the FTA's aim to boost bilateral trade and investments, especially increasing our export of fish products to China, is a key priority for us through the FTA."
The Maldives Investment Forum was where Muizzu sought investments from Chinese companies for 11 projects, including the relocation of the Male Commercial Port to Thilafushi, the development project of Velana International Airport, the construction of 15 more airports, and the expansion of SEZ.
The Maldives Investment Forum was where Muizzu sought investments from Chinese companies for 11 projects, including the relocation of the Male Commercial Port to Thilafushi, the development project of Velana International Airport, the construction of 15 more airports, and the expansion of SEZ.
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