China opposes external interference in Maldives

Beijing: China today stepped in amidst a diplomatic row between India and Maldives since the change in power in the island nation in November 2023, stating that Beijing “firmly opposes external interference in the internal affairs of the Maldives”.

The anti-India rhetoric has been on the rise within the new government in Male ever since pro-China leader Dr. Mohamed Muizzu took charge as President of Maldives and immediately sought the withdrawal of the Indian military personnel from Male. Recently three of his Ministers posted derogatory remarks against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and were suspended.

Unlike his predecessor Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who made India his first foreign destination after getting elected to the high office, Dr. Muizzu is on a five-day State visit to China between January 8 and 12, 2024, at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. He expressed his appreciation for “the long-standing, selfless help” extended by China for the economic and social development of the Maldives. 

Today, in a joint press communiqué, both nations agreed to continue firmly supporting each other in safeguarding their respective core interests. “China firmly supports the Maldives in upholding its national sovereignty, independence and national dignity, respects and supports the Maldives’ exploration of a development path that suits its national conditions, and firmly opposes external interference in the internal affairs of the Maldives,” the joint communiqué stated. The two sides gave prominence to the strategic significance of China-Maldives relations. Dr. Muizzu stated that the Maldives opposes external interference in China’s internal affairs under any pretext and supports all efforts made by China to achieve national reunification with Taiwan.

The two sides further agreed to explore ways towards implementing the Global Security Initiative (GSI) in the efforts to deepen cooperation in law enforcement and jointly meet key challenges including those posed by traditional and non-traditional security challenges, to promote the development of bilateral relations and contribute to peace and stability at regional and global levels.

During the visit, President Mohamed Muizzu held talks with President Xi Jinping and had meetings with Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council, and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. The leaders of the two countries had in-depth exchanges of views on reinforcing China-Maldives traditional friendship and deepening friendly cooperation and reached an extensive consensus.

China and Maldives agreed to elevate their relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, better leverage the political guidance of high-level engagement, expand practical cooperation between the two countries in various fields, strengthen collaboration on international and multilateral affairs, enhance the well-being of the two peoples, and work toward a China-Maldives community with a shared future.

Both China and Maldives agreed to focus on pursuing Belt and Road cooperation in the efforts to “better synergize their development strategies, fully implement the Global Development Initiative (GDI), and further enhance the level and quality of cooperation, and strengthen practical cooperation in green development, digital economy, blue economy and other fields, to achieve mutual benefit and common development”.

They said they will actively promote economic and trade cooperation, fully leverage the mechanism of the China-Maldives Joint Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation, enhance trade facilitation, and promote high-quality development of economic and trade cooperation.

During the visit, the two sides signed the Action Plan Between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Maldives for Building a China-Maldives Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership (2024-2028) and documents on cooperation in such areas as Belt and Road cooperation, economic and technical cooperation, blue economy, digital economy, green development, infrastructure construction, and assistance for people’s livelihood.

President Mohamed Muizzu expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality of President Xi Jinping, the Chinese Government and the Chinese people, and invited Chinese leaders to visit the Maldives at mutually convenient times. The two sides agree to maintain communication over this matter via diplomatic channels. 

India has maintained that it is for the Maldivian President to decide where he goes and how he goes about their international relations.

– global bihari bureau