CHINA-MALDIVES 5 0 T H A N N I V E RSA RY
14 OCTOBER 2022
H.E. Xi Jinping
H.E. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
President of the People's Republic of China
President of the Republic of Maldives
Excellency,
Your Excellency,
On the auspicious occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Maldives, I would like to, on behalf of the Government and people of China and also in my own name, extend my warm congratulations and good wishes to the Government and people of Maldives.
The China-Maldives friendly exchanges date back to ancient times. Over the past 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and the Maldives, the two countries have always respected and supported each other, which has set a good example of countries of different sizes treating each other as equals and seeking winwin cooperation. In recent years, the two countries tided over difficulties together and offered helping hands to each other, worked together to cope with the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic unseen in a century, deepened cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative as well as upheld and promoted the true multilateralism, which provided new impetus into and opened up new prospect for China-Maldives relations.
I attach great importance to the development of China-Maldives relations. I'm ready to work with you to promote the steady development of China-Maldives future-oriented all-round friendly and cooperative partnership so as to bring more benefits to our two countries and peoples. May I wish the Maldives prosperity and its people health and happiness. May I wish China-Maldives friendship everlasting!
H.E. Wang Yi Your Excellency,
State Councilor and Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China
On the auspicious occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Maldives, I would like to extend my warm congratulations and good wishes to you.
Over the past 50 years of the diplomatic relations between China and the Maldives, China-Maldives relations have enjoyed healthy and stable development. Political trust between the two countries' has been enhanced and cooperation in various fields has been strengthened. The two sides have firmly supported each other in international and regional affairs. I'm ready to work with you to implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of our two countries and promote the China-Maldives futureoriented all-round friendly and cooperative partnership with greater development. May I wish the Maldives prosperity and its people health and happiness. May I wish China-Maldives friendship everlasting!
H.E. Wang Lixin Ambassador of the People's Republic of China
This year marks the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Over the past 73 years, Earthshaking changes have taken place in China.The Communist Party of China has united and led the Chinese people in working hard and forging ahead and successfully created a "Chinese miracle" marked by rapid economic development and sustainable social stability.
Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we have successfully built a moderately prosperous society in all respects and fulfilled the first centenary goal. We are embarking on a new journey to fully build a modern socialist country, march toward the second centenary goal, to advance toward the grand goal of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Most importantly, over the past 10 years, China has made historic changes and achievements in various fields: The country’s GDP reached 114 trillion yuan in 2021 from 53.9 trillion yuan in 2012, accounting for 18.5 percent of the world's total in 2021 up from 11.4% in 2012, with per capita GDP jumping to $12,500 from $6300, becoming the second largest economy in the world ; 98.99 million rural residents living below the current poverty line have been lifted out of poverty; The middle-income population exceeds 400 million; Average life expectancy reached 78.2 years; Significant improvement in air, water and soil quality; The people's satisfaction with the ecological environment has reached more than 90%. The carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP decreased by 34.4%, the proportion of clean energy consumption increased from 14.5% to 25.5%, and the installed capacity of hydropower, wind energy, solar energy and biomass power generation ranked first in the world; All the investment in R&D increased by 1.7 times; the country rose to 12th on the Global Innovation Index 2021, up from 34th in 2012, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization, ranking first in the number of international patent applications for three consecutive years; In the Global Business Environment ranking, China rose from 96th to 31st and become the world's second largest consumer market and the total value of
1972-
-2022
China's goods and services trade ranks top globally.
Over the past 10 years, China has continuously promoted the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, actively worked for a new type of international relations, and put forward the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, and shared development opportunities by high-quality "Belt and Road Initiative" cooperation and signed more than 200 "Belt and Road Initiative" cooperation agreements with 149 countries and 32 international organizations by July 2022. We have contributed an average of over 30% to global growth every year, provided more than 2.2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines for more than 120 countries and international organizations, and contributed greater Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions, and Chinese strength to the reform and development of the international system and international governance.
This year is of great historical significance in the development of the CPC and China, as the 20th CPC National Congress will be convened on 16th of October. This Congress in response to the expectation of all the Chinese people, has set well-conceived goals and tasks for China’s development in the next five years and beyond, and drew an overarching plan for China’s future development. We believe that under the strong leadership of CPC, Chinese people will create new achievements on the new journey toward the grand goal of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Maldives. Over the past half a century, China-Maldives relations have withstood the test of international vicissitudes and become more mature and stable. China and the Maldives have been upholding the spirit of friendship and neighborliness, respecting each other, treating each other as equals, helping each other sincerely, understanding and supporting each other on issues concerning the two countries’ core interests and major concerns. China highly appreciates the Maldivian government’s longstanding commitment on one-China policy. China firmly supports the Maldives in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and national dignity and helps the Maldives in social and economic development. The China-Maldives relations have become a model of friendly exchanges, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation between countries with different systems and cultures in international arena.
In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Maldives relations have maintained a good momentum of steady development. In September 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a historic state visit to Maldives and the two sides agreed to establish future-oriented all-round friendly and cooperative partnership, lifting the China-Maldives relations to a new level. In July 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping had a phone call with Maldivian President Ibrahim Solih and reached important consensus on deepening and expanding exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two countries, setting the direction for the future development of the bilateral relations. In January 2022, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid a successful visit to Maldives with fruitful outcomes, opening a new chapter in China-Maldives relations. Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid visited China twice over the past year, which enhanced the mutual trust and friendship between the leaders of the two countries, and laid a sound foundation for the future development of bilateral relations.
As an all-round friendly and cooperative partner, China has been always strongly supporting the Maldives to speed up economic and social development and improve self-development capability. Recent years have witnessed fruitful results on jointly building the "Belt and Road" by China and Maldives. The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge is a landmark project of the “Belt and Road Initiative” which has brought enormous changes to the Maldives. Since it opens to traffic 4 year ago, the bridge has witnessed over 100 million crossings by the local people and has dramatically promoted the sustainable development of Maldivian economy and society. So far Chinese companies has completed more than 11,000 social housing units, which have contributed a lot in the improvement of living conditions of thousands and thousands of Maldivian families. Power generation and power grid connection built by Chinese companies meet 80% of all electricity demand of the residents and enterprises in the Greater Malé. The newly upgraded and expanded Velana International Airport Project has been put into operation and will promote the development of Maldivian tourism in leaps and bounds. The great contributions made by the Chinese side to the development of Maldivian economy and society will further enhance the solid friendship between the two peoples. Looking into the future on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the two countries should continue with the
On behalf of the Government and people of Maldives, and on my own behalf, I wish to extend warm greetings and best wishes to Your Excellency, the Government, and the friendly people of China as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Maldives and the People’s Republic of China.
Maldives and China have always enjoyed a long history of friendship and cooperation. The last two decades have especially witnessed immense contribution from China to the social, cultural, and economic development of the Maldives. Earlier this year, as we launched the celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations, five agreements were concluded between Maldives and China. I am confident that the new momentum built with these agreements will pave the way for greater bilateral cooperation in the future.
The Maldives-China relationship is anchored in a strong foundation of shared historic bonds, sovereign equality and mutual respect for one another. It is also based on the Maldives’ firm commitment to the One-China Principle. I am confident that the long-standing ties of friendship and collaboration that we have shared over the past 50 years will continue to deepen and widen. Once again let me take this opportunity to congratulate and extend my best wishes to the Government and people of China on this joyous occasion.
H.E. Abdulla Shahid Foreign Minister of the Republic of Maldives
Excellency,
I take this opportunity to extend warm greetings and best wishes to Your Excellency, the Government, and the friendly people of China on the very special occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Maldives and the People’s Republic of China.
Over the past 50 years, the relationship between our two peoples have stood the test of time, becoming one of friendship and close cooperation. The contributions made by China towards the Maldives’ socio-economic development has been extraordinary, positively inducing economic growth in multiple spheres. The Maldives will continue to make every effort to further improve its bilateral relations with China, which is founded upon our shared respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the Maldives’ firm commitment to the One-China Principle. I look forward to a period of close engagement and collaboration, and our collective efforts to further enhance our long-standing bilateral ties in the years ahead. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
past and open up the future, promote all-round cooperation to a new high and write a new chapter for the friendly and mutuallybeneficial cooperation with a more far-reaching eyesight and broader vision: Firstly, both sides should blueprint and steer the future development of China-Maldives relations under the guidance of the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries.
Secondly, both sides should adhere to the valuable experience to ensure the steady and smooth development of the bilateral relations.
Thirdly, both sides should deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in full scale so as to benefit the people of the two countries. Finally, both sides should expand the people-to-people and cultural exchanges. We believe that with the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic ties as a new starting point, China and the Maldives will enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation and deepen friendship, jointly embark on a new journey of China-Maldives relations and promote the future-oriented all-round friendly and cooperative partnership between China and Maldives to a new level.
At present, the COVID-19 pandemic has kept resurfacing. Global security faces uncertainty. Global economic recovery is fragile and unsteady, and various risks and crises are emerging. The world has entered a new phase of turbulence and transformation. Changes unseen in a century are accelerating. At the same time, the world continues to move toward multi-polarity; economic globalization is deepening, and our societies are becoming increasingly digitized and culturally diversified. Indeed, countries are becoming ever more interconnected and interdependent. Peace and development remain the underlying trend of our times. Around the world, the people’s call for progress and cooperation is getting louder than ever before. China will work with other countries to make every effort for peace and development, shoulder the responsibility for solidarity and progress, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and embrace an even better world. I would like to take this opportunity to express heartfelt thanks to friends from all walks of life who have long cared about and supported the development of China-Maldives relations. I wish our great country prosperity and the people health and happiness. I wish China-Maldives relations progress continuously and ChinaMaldives friendship flourish forever. Thank you!