00:00 Amid diplomatic tension between the Maldives and India, Maldivian President Mohammad Mujzu
00:07 has embarked on a five-day state visit to China.
00:11 It has resulted in a series of key agreements signed between the two nations.
00:16 On January 10, President Mujzu and his wife, Sajida Mohamad, were warmly welcomed in Beijing
00:22 where they met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
00:26 The visit culminated in the signing of 20 significant agreements marking the elevation
00:30 of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic-cooperative partnership.
00:36 The agreements encompassed various domains with a primary focus on tourism cooperation,
00:42 disaster risk reduction, blue economy initiatives and bolstering investments in the digital
00:47 economy.
00:48 It is to be noted that China pledged to grant assistance to the Maldives although the specific
00:54 amount remains undisclosed.
00:57 In addition, both nations committed to expediting the formulation of the Cooperation Plan on
01:02 the Belt and Road Initiative, initiating a social housing project on Fushidi Garu Falu,
01:08 establishing fisheries products processing factories and redeveloping Mali and Willimali
01:13 Roads development projects.
01:16 President Mujzu, known for his pro-China stance, is currently grappling with strained relations
01:20 with India due to derogatory remarks made by his ministers against Indian Prime Minister
01:25 Narendra Modi.
01:27 This dispute has led to a series of cancellations of reservations by Indian tourists.
01:33 Despite the diplomatic tension, President Mujzu expressed his gratitude during an address
01:38 to the Maldives' Business Forum in Fujian province, where he urged China to intensify
01:43 efforts to boost tourism in the Maldives.
01:47 He reminisced about pre-Covid era when China held the position of the Maldives' primary
01:53 tourism market.
01:54 Moreover, Mujzu commended China's Belt and Road Initiative or BRI projects launched by
01:59 President Xi Jinping in 2014, emphasising their role in delivering significant infrastructure
02:04 projects that have shaped Maldivian history.
02:08 During the visit, it was reported that the two countries inked a US$50 million project
02:14 to develop an integrated tourism zone on the Indian Ocean island.
02:19 In his quest for economic partnerships, President Mujzu also sought investments from Chinese
02:24 companies for 11 projects at the Maldives Investment Forum.
02:30 This move aligns with China's bilateral trade with the Maldives in 2022, which totaled $451.29
02:38 million, dominated by China's exports.
02:42 As President Mujzu continues his visit, he is expected to meet with Chinese Premier Li
02:46 Keqiang and other senior officials before returning to Mali on January 12.
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