China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang Wednesday called on China and the Maldives to strengthen alignment of development strategies within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
According to Xinhua, Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), made the call when meeting visiting Maldives speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed.
The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, has provided new opportunity for China-Maldives cooperation, Zhang said, calling on the two sides to implement existing cooperative projects and seek new ways of cooperation.
The Maldives officially entered China’s new Silk Road project “Belt and Road” in 2014, which mainly aims to undertake infrastructural projects in various countries.
During Xi's visit to the Maldives in 2014, the two countries agreed to establish a future-focused friendly and cooperative partnership, said Zhang, commending the remarkable progress made by the two sides on the economy and trade, infrastructure, tourism, people's livelihoods and local affairs.
Next year marks the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Zhang said that China will continue to work with the Maldives to expand mutually beneficial cooperation and push for greater development of bilateral relations.
China has funded major infrastructure development in the Maldives, including the nation’s main airport and the ongoing landmark bridge project connecting capital Male with airport island Hulhule.
The Link Road connecting the island wards of southernmost Addu atoll had also been developed with China’s free aid.
Moreover, several Chinese private firms continue to invest in the tourism and construction sectors of the archipelago, especially in the reclaimed suburb Hulhumale.
