China pledges ongoing support for Maldives' Infrastructure development

21 Mar 2024 | 22:22
Chinese ambassador Wang Lixin at bridge maintenance agreement signing ceremony on Wednesday

In a demonstration of continued cooperation and support, Chinese Ambassador Wang Lixin has reaffirmed China's commitment to bolstering the Maldives' infrastructure development efforts.

At the finalization ceremony of the Sinamalé Bridge maintenance agreement on Wednesday, Chinese Ambassador Wang Lixin emphasized China's dedication to assisting the Maldives in achieving socioeconomic progress.

During her remarks, Ambassador Wang Lixin highlighted the importance of expanding cooperation between the two nations to benefit the Maldivian people.

She underscored China's readiness to contribute resources and expertise towards advancing developmental projects in the Maldives, particularly under the Belt and Road project.

The Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure of the Maldives recently sealed a significant agreement with China Communication Construction Company (CCCC) Second Harbour Engineering Company, aimed at enhancing the maintenance capabilities of the Sinamalé Bridge.

Minister Dr. Abdulla Muththalib and Ambassador Wang Lixin were signatories to the agreement, signaling both countries' commitment to fostering collaboration and capacity-building initiatives.

Under the terms of the agreement, CCCC will not only continue technical repair works on the bridge but also undertake the training of Maldivian personnel in bridge maintenance tasks.

This includes maintaining meticulous records on bridge standards and conducting regular maintenance activities. Fully funded by the Chinese government at a cost of USD 3.6 million, the project aims to empower Maldivians to independently manage bridge maintenance operations.

Ambassador Wang Lixin reiterated China's unwavering support for the Maldives' developmental endeavors, citing the fruitful discussions between President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Chinese officials during the president's visit to China.

She assured the Maldivian government of China's readiness to provide technical assistance and resources to facilitate the country's development projects.

I think at this stage we should work even harder to expand our corporation and to bring more benefits to the Maldivian people, the Chinese government and I think the Chinese companies here are always ready to do what we can and to help and promote Maldives socioeconomic development and we are also ready to expand our corporation on high quality build of belt and road corporation projects so in this area I think the two sides can work closely and harder to achieve more tangible fruits and to bring more tangible benefits to the Maldivian People

Stated Chinese Ambassador Wang Lixin

The Sinamalé Bridge, a symbol of successful collaboration between the Maldives and China, was inaugurated in August 2018. Spanning 1.39 km and with a total project cost of USD 300 million, the bridge serves as a testament to the significance of international partnerships in advancing infrastructure development in the Maldives.

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