China’s legislative body the National People’s Congress (NPC) has pledged closer cooperation with the Maldives Majlis after a meeting between NPC Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo and Majlis Speaker Abdulla Shahid.
Wu met Shahid in Bejing on Monday, reports Chinese news agency Xinhua, and stated that he was keen to expand “mutual trust and economic and trade cooperation” in areas such as fisheries, tourism, infrastructure and construction.
China would encourage Chinese companies to further participate in the Maldives’ national construction and more Chinese tourists to visit the country, Xinhua reported.
Shahid said the rapid growth of the Chinese economy offered inspiration to developing countries, including the Maldives.