News

The Fourth Joint Meeting Mechanism to deal with the issue of safety of Chinese Tourists in the Maldives was held at the Manhattan Business Hotel today. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Khaleel and Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Maldives, H.E. Ms. Wang Lixin co-chaired the Joint Meeting. Minister of State for Tourism, H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Rasheed Aboobakuru also attended the meeting.

As a follow-up on the Memorandum of Understanding concluded between the two Governments during the visit of His Excellency President Xi Jinping to the Maldives in September 2014, the Joint Meeting was held to discuss on the issue of safety of Chinese tourists in the Maldives.

In his opening remarks, State Minister Khaleel highlighted the commitment of the Government of Maldives to focus on making improvements to and maintaining a safe environment for all tourists, including Chinese visitors. He also noted the importance of such a platform to identify the challenges faced by Chinese tourists, and emphasised on the need to further strengthen communication and coordination between stakeholders regarding the safety of Chinese tourists in Maldives. State Minister further noted the positive results of closer coordination between the Maldives and China.

The Ambassador thanked the Government of Maldives for the coordination and cooperation extended in ensuring a safe environment to the Chinese tourists in the Maldives. Ambassador assured that this mechanism will strengthen the joint efforts by the Maldives and China in securing a safe environment to the Chinese tourists in Maldives.

The Joint Meeting was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy of China in Maldives, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Health, Maldives Immigration, Maldives Customs Service, Maldives Police Service, MNDF, Maldives Airports Company Ltd. MATI and other key stakeholders.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, His Excellency Abdulla Shahid sends a message of felicitations to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Qin Gang on his appointment as the State Councilor.

Minister’s message reads as follows:

“Excellency,

The Government and the people of Maldives join me in conveying our warm congratulations and best wishes on your appointment as the State Councilor of China.

I am certain that under your able guidance and foresight, the close relations between the two countries and its people will continue to reach new heights.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

The Government of the Republic of Maldives welcomes the Joint Trilateral Statement by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the People’s Republic of China announcing that an agreement has been reached between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran that includes an agreement to resume diplomatic relations between the two countries and reopen their embassies and missions and the affirmation of the respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs of states.

In light of these positive and welcoming developments the Government of Maldives has decided to resume diplomatic ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran.