Maldives delegation to visit China soon

Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel has said that China remains an important partner for the Maldives and that a government delegation will visit the country in the near future.

Khaleel was responding in Parliament on Wednesday to a question from PNC MP Ahmed Riyaz, who asked whether the minister had any plans to visit China and where he would be if such a visit were scheduled.

The minister said that alongside hosting meetings to strengthen relations with other states, he also makes official visits to those countries. He added that the Maldives seeks to maintain “friendly and equal relations” with its strategic partners.

“Hopefully, in the very near future you will see a Maldivian delegation visiting China,” Khaleel said, without providing further details.

Khaleel, who was appointed Foreign Minister in September after previously serving as Health Minister, has not yet visited China in his current role. He had travelled there while serving in the health portfolio. His first official visit as Foreign Minister was to India, where the government has since worked to improve relations.

President Mohamed Muizzu visited China early in his administration, accompanied by a high-level delegation that included then-Foreign Minister and current Finance Minister Moosa Zameer.