On the afternoon of January 10, 2024, President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People with President of the Maldives Mohamed Muizzu, who is in China for a state visit. The two heads of state announced the elevation of China-Maldives relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and the Maldives are traditionally friendly neighbors, and the two peoples established friendly ties through the ancient Maritime Silk Road. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 52 years ago, China and the Maldives have always respected and supported each other, setting a good example of equal treatment, mutual assistance, and mutual benefit between countries of different sizes. In recent years, bilateral relations have witnessed in-depth growth, and Belt and Road cooperation and exchanges and cooperation in various fields have yielded fruitful results. Under the new circumstances, China-Maldives relations face a historic opportunity to build on past achievements and forge ahead. The elevation of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership meets the development needs of bilateral relations and the expectations of the two peoples. China is ready to work with the Maldives to continuously expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields and jointly commit to building a China-Maldives community with a shared future.

Xi Jinping elaborated on 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 firmly supports the Maldives 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. The two sides should strengthen cooperation in such areas as economy, trade and investment, agricultural parks, and the blue, green and digital economies, expand cooperation on such areas as marine ecological and environmental protection, and strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges. China supports more outstanding Maldivian students to study in China and promotes more direct flights between the two countries.

Xi Jinping pointed out that as both developing countries, China and the Maldives share similar views and positions on international and regional affairs. The two sides should strengthen multilateral communication and coordination to safeguard true multilateralism and the common interests of developing countries, and build a community with a shared future for mankind to make the world more peaceful, secure and prosperous. China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Maldives to implement the consensus reached at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, and promote the full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Muizzu said he was honored to pay his first state visit to China with a number of important cabinet ministers and become the first foreign head of state that China has hosted this year. This fully demonstrates the great importance both sides attach to the development of bilateral relations. The Maldives firmly upholds the one-China policy. Firm mutual support in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity is a solid foundation for the sustained and sound development of Maldives-China relations. This year marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping's historic state visit to the Maldives. Muizzu said that China has provided a significant amount of valuable assistance to his country's economic and social development. Maldives-China cooperation, in particular Belt and Road cooperation, has delivered great benefits to the Maldivian people. The Maldives-China Friendship Bridge has become a symbol of the friendship between the two peoples. Muizzu said that during his visit to Fujian, he witnessed China's great achievements and experienced the outstanding leadership of President Xi Jinping. The Maldives looks forward to taking the opportunity of building a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to further expand new channels of bilateral cooperation, add new dimensions to bilateral relations, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and push for more new progress in Maldives-China relations, so as to create more benefits for the two peoples. The Maldives welcomes the positive measures taken by China to promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges and looks forward to more Chinese tourists visiting the Maldives. The Maldives supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, all of which were put forward by President Xi Jinping, and is willing to communicate and cooperate closely with China in international and regional affairs and strengthen mutual support.

After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of an action plan to establish the China-Maldives comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and multiple bilateral cooperation documents on Belt and Road cooperation, disaster management, economy and technology, and the blue and digital economies, green development, infrastructure, and people's livelihoods, among other fields.

Prior to the talks, Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcoming ceremony for Muizzu and his wife Sajidha Mohamed at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

A 21-gun salute was fired at Tian'anmen Square, and the guard of honor lined up in salutation. After the two heads of state stepped onto the stand, the military band played the national anthems of China and the Maldives. Accompanied by Xi Jinping, Muizzu reviewed the guard of honor of the People's Liberation Army and watched the march-past.

Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan held a welcoming banquet for Muizzu and his wife at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People in the evening.

Wang Yi was present at the above events.

During Muizzu's visit to China, both sides will issue the Joint Press Communiqué between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Maldives.