Maritime Silk Road brings China, Maldives ever closer -- Maldivian tourism minister

Maldivian Minister of State for Tourism and Environment Abdulla Niyaz speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Wenzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Mingxiang)

HANGZHOU, China, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Ongoing cooperation along the Maritime Silk Road is fostering closer ties between China and the Maldives with steady progress being made across multiple sectors, Maldivian Minister of State for Tourism and Environment Abdulla Niyaz has told Xinhua.

He made the remarks on the sidelines of the 2025 Maritime Silk Road Urban Cooperation &Development Conference and the International Travel Agents Conference, held in the coastal city of Wenzhou in east China's Zhejiang Province from Tuesday to Thursday.

Niyaz said the Maritime Silk Road offers a vital platform for deepening bilateral cooperation in tourism, marine conservation and the development of the blue economy.

"Through joint projects, China and the Maldives are generating shared economic and ecological gains," he said, noting that Chinese expertise in infrastructure, renewable energy and digital solutions is being integrated with local knowledge to advance sustainable island development.

Reflecting on decades of cooperation, Niyaz cited key milestones such as the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, which connected the two islands of Hulhule, home to Velana International Airport, and the capital city of Male.

"This bridge has improved local transport and logistics, and stands as a testament to what our two countries can achieve together when vision meets partnership," Niyaz said.

Other achievements include the expansion of direct flights and the annual arrival of around 300,000 Chinese tourists, as well as the benefits brought by the China-Maldives comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

These efforts have broadened cooperation beyond infrastructure to areas such as culture, tourism and the digital economy, he said.

Looking ahead, Niyaz noted that the Maritime Silk Road can connect Chinese ports like Wenzhou with the Maldives through multi-destination cruise routes and blue economy networks.

Niyaz also highlighted the strategic importance of China-Maldives cooperation along the Maritime Silk Road amid rising global uncertainty.

Describing the partnership as "a steady anchor in uncertain times, showing how cooperation can bring stability and shared growth," he said that their collaboration strengthens regional connectivity and advances sustainable development.

"By working together along the Maritime Silk Road, China and the Maldives can turn challenges into opportunities and continue building shared prosperity for our peoples and the region," the minister said.