Chinese ambassador announces plans to build 1,500 houses in Maldives

Additional reporting by Ahmed Naish

The Chinese ambassador to the Maldives announced plans to construct 1,500 housing units during a Chinese New Year celebration in the capital Malé last night.

“We will work with the Maldivian side on how to make the best use of Chinese grant aid and the concessional loans to further benefit the economic and social development of Maldives,” said ambassador Wang Fukang.

Also in attendance at the event, Maldives Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon expressed gratitude for the growing Chinese support in the country’s development.

“Maldives has always looked to China as an invaluable friend whose contribution to the social, cultural and economic development of the Maldives is immense. Some of the projects and some of the businesses that are currently underway are indeed very exciting,” Dunya said.

Military ties between the two countries also appear to be growing, with a Chinese naval ship arriving in Malé this morning. Rear Admiral Shen Hao of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) expressed his hope that cooperation between the two nations would continue to strengthen.

As well providing loans equivalent to one quarter of the Maldives’ GDP to the previous administration, the Chinese government recently granted the new government of President Adbulla Yameen 50 million yuan (US$8.2 million) in development aid.

Former President Dr Mohamed Waheed was also in attendance at yesterday’s function, alongside cabinet members from the current administration.

Links between the two countries have expanded rapidly in recent years, largely as a result of the exponential growth in Chinese tourists visiting the Maldives.

Reflecting the growth in Chinese travellers worldwide over the last decade, Chinese tourist arrivals in the Maldives grew at an average rate of 48 percent between 2008-2012, becoming the industry’s biggest market in 2010.

In his speech last night, the Chinese ambassador noted that 45 percent of tourists to the country last year were Chinese, giving cause for the government to maintain close bilateral relations with the Maldives.

Defence ties have grown alongside the recent spike in tourist arrivals, with a military aid agreement being signed in December 2012.

The Chinese Navy’s hospital ship ‘Peace Ark’ arrived today on a goodwill mission, read a Defence Ministry press release, with plans to provide medical services throughout the country until July 5.

The PLA Navy’s ‘Mission Harmony 2013’ will visit Kaafu Guraidhoo, Rasdhoo, Alif Dhaal Mahibadhoo, Kulhudhuffushi, Fuvamulah, Addu City, Eydhafushi, Gaa Alif Villingili, and Senahiya Hospital in Male’.

The Defence Ministry has also revealed that the PLA will be providing home services for those with special needs in Kaafu Guraidhoo,as well as offering services at the ‘Kudakudhinge Hiya’ orphanage in Kaafu Villingili. Contact details for the service are available via the Defence Ministry website.

After becoming the only non-SAARC country to maintain a full diplomatic mission in the Maldives in 2011, China’s embassy has recently move to a larger premises and has recently started providing visa services to locals.

Following a recent state visit to India, however, President Yameen noted that regional ties would always be at the forefront of the Maldives’ foreign relations. Growing ties with China have prompted concern within India of Chinese military ambitions in the Indian Ocean region.

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