China says against external influence in Maldives; pledges backing to protect sovereignty

China said on Thursday it opposed external interference in the internal affairs of Maldives, and pledged support to the Indian Ocean island nation in "upholding its national sovereignty" amid a row with neighbouring India.

A joint communique following visiting Maldivian president Mohamed Muizzu's meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping said the two countries agreed to continue firmly supporting each other in safeguarding their respective core interests.

"China firmly supports the Maldives in upholding its national sovereignty, independence and national dignity, respects and supports the Maldives' exploration of a development path that suits its national conditions, and firmly opposes external interference in the internal affairs of the Maldives," the communique read. 

Maldives maintained its long-standing support of the One China policy, which considers Taiwan as part of China.

"The Maldives is firmly committed to the one-China principle, recognising that there is but one China in the world, the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory," the communique read.

"The Maldives opposes any statement or action that undermines China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, opposes all 'Taiwan independence' separatist activities, and will not develop any form of official relations with Taiwan."

President Muizzu, who is in China on his first state visit since assuming office on November 17, and his Chinese counterpart met on Wednesday and held official talks. The two also presided over the signing of 20 agreements, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on starting negotiations for investments in the government's Ras Male project and the second phase of Velana International Airport (VIA) development.

At the meeting, Xi said that the people of the two countries established friendly ties through the ancient Maritime Silk Road, undertook productive cooperation in the construction of the Belt and Road and other areas in recent years, and set a good example of equality, mutual assistance and mutual benefit between countries big and small over the past 52 years of diplomatic ties.

"Under the new circumstances, China-Maldives relations face a historic opportunity to build on past achievements and forge ahead," Xi said, noting that the elevation of ties is necessary alongside the growth of bilateral relations and meets the expectations of the two peoples.

Xi spoke about the hard work and valuable experience of the Communist Party of China over the last century. He stressed that China respects and supports the Maldives in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, and supports the Maldives firmly in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national dignity.

China stands ready to exchange governance experience with the Maldives, strengthen the synergy of development strategies, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and set a new benchmark for the China-Maldives friendship, Xi said.

Traditionally Maldivian presidents had visited India on their first official or state visit, but President Muizzu broke tradition when he visited Türkiye in late November on his first official visit. 

He is yet to visit India, but met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of COP28 climate summit in Dubai in early December. 

President Muizzu won the presidential election in September, ousting Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in a runoff after promising to remove a small Indian military presence of some 77 personnel.

The new government, which came to power on November 17, has formally requested India to remove its troops, with President Muizzu saying that India has agreed to withdraw the troops.

Maldives has also given notice to India to not renew a hydrography agreement signed by the previous government, giving access to India to study and chart the island nation's seabed.

The agreement will terminate when it expires on June 4, 2024, the government has said.

The president's remarks also come amid a diplomatic row between the Maldives and India, which has been the biggest tourist source market over the past three years. 

Authorities in Maldives on Sunday suspended three deputy ministers who had come under fire for their posts on X in which they are seen verbally abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India.

Last Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a video of his recent visit to Lakshadweep to promote tourism in the region.

Some Indians have said that Modi's video was released to tell people that Indians do not have to go to Maldives for holidays and can experience the beauty of Maldives while staying in their own country.

The threat quickly got out of hand, and comments that were highly inappropriate to make against one’s neighbouring country started appearing. People also started racially criticising Indians. Maryam Shiuna and Malsha Shareef, who are deputies in the youth ministry, took the cake when they insulted the Indian prime minister himself.

Both Maldives and India summoned each other's envoys on Monday as the row escalated into a tourism boycott campaign against the Maldives.