Editors’ Note: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit is scheduled to take place in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, 2025. This will mark China’s fifth time hosting the SCO Summit, and is set to be the largest gathering in the organization’s history. H.E. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Maldives, has been invited to attend the Summit, signifying his second official visit to China since assuming office.
In a recent featured article published in the People’s Daily, the flagship newspaper of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the country’s most authoritative and influential official press outlet, Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives H.E. Mr. Kong Xianhua elaborated on the profound implications of the “Shanghai Spirit” -encapsulated by the principles of “mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and pursuit of common development.” Through a retrospective of the long-standing friendly exchanges between China and the Maldives, an overview of current collaborative achievements, and a vision for future shared growth, the Ambassador underscored how bilateral cooperation embodies “Shanghai Spirit”.
The Maldives, a valued dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), is known for its breathtaking beauty and the warmth of its people — often described as “a string of pearls that God left in the human world”. Over the years, China and the Maldives have forged a friendship rooted in sincerity, mutual trust, and mutual assistance. We are partners in development and companions on the path to shared prosperity. In this new era, our relations continue to reach new heights, vividly demonstrating the vitality of the “Shanghai Spirit”.
Since the establishment of our diplomatic ties more than half a century ago, China and the Maldives have always treated each other with respect and supported one another through thick and thin. Together, we have set an example of equal treatment, mutual assistance, and mutual benefit between countries of different sizes.
A landmark moment came in September 2014, when President Xi Jinping paid a historic state visit to the Maldives. The Maldives was among the earliest to respond to and benefit from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Iconic projects such as the China–Maldives Friendship Bridge, which ended the nation’s history of having no bridges, the Hulhumalé Social Housing Project, which made the dream of affordable housing a reality for many families, and the expansion of Velana International Airport, which has given fresh wings to the tourism industry, all stand as vivid symbols of our shared journey.
These projects are more than concrete and steel; they represent the trust, cooperation, and shared aspirations of our two peoples. They have laid a strong foundation for the Maldives’ economic growth and for the well-being of its citizens.
Respect for diverse civilizations has long been a hallmark of China–Maldives exchanges. As early as the Ming Dynasty, the great Chinese navigator Zheng He visited the Maldives twice with his fleet, while Maldivian King Yusouf sent envoys to China on three occasions. Ancient Chinese porcelain and coins unearthed in the Maldives are now displayed in the National Museum of Malé, bearing witness to the friendly ties established through the ancient Maritime Silk Road — ties that continue to deepen in the new era.
In January 2024, Maldivian President H.E. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu paid a state visit to China, with Fujian Province as his first stop. There, he gained a deep appreciation of China’s development under the outstanding leadership of President Xi Jinping. During their talks, President Muizzu reaffirmed the Maldives’ support for the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi.
Pursuing common development remains the core goal of China–Maldives cooperation. In recent years, our bilateral relations have continued to thrive, and practical cooperation has made steady progress. In 2024, the two heads of state announced the elevation of our ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, committing to build a China–Maldives community with a shared future and charting a new vision for bilateral cooperation.
China has remained the leading source of foreign tourists to the Maldives, with more and more Chinese visitors coming to enjoy its island beauty. Projects such as the China-Maldives Friendship Hospital in Villimalé, and the Malé and Villimalé Road Redevelopment Project, are progressing steadily. On January 1, 2025, the China–Maldives Free Trade Agreement officially entered into force, providing strong institutional support for advancing trade and investment liberalization and facilitation between our two countries. Cooperation is also flourishing in areas such as nursery development, fisheries, healthcare, culture, and sports, while the prospects for collaboration in green, blue, and digital economies as well as modern agriculture are broad and promising.
One of the greatest strengths of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization lies in its ability to create a platform for equal dialogue among nations, big and small. Within the “SCO family”, all members, regardless of size or strength, are treated as equals — engaging in dialogue, pursuing cooperation, and seeking solutions to shared challenges. As fellow developing countries, China and the Maldives share similar views and positions on international and regional affairs. We maintain close coordination in multilateral settings, work hand in hand to uphold true multilateralism and safeguard the common interests of developing nations, and strive to make the world more peaceful, secure, and prosperous. Within the SCO framework, China and the Maldives will continue to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, advancing the building of a fairer and more just global governance system.
Today, China–Maldives friendship sails forward with full wind, charting its course as a vivid example of building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries. China will, as always, firmly support the Maldives in safeguarding its national independence and sovereignty, actively explore development paths suited to its national conditions, and share with it the opportunities brought by Chinese modernization — so that this “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” may shine even brighter on the world stage.
H.E. Mr. KONG Xianhua is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Maldives
