From Visa-Free Entry to China, Economic and Technical Coorporation to Health Services, China and Maldives Sign 5 Key Agreements

The signing of a number of key agreements on important areas such as infrastructure development, health, and travel was witnessed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, and State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China His Excellency Wang Yi during his visit on the 8th of January. 
 
The agreements which were signed on behalf of the Government of Maldives by His Excellency Ahmed Khaleel were, “Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption between the Government of the Republic of Maldives and the Government of the People’s Republic of China”, which will allow Maldivians to travel to China on a 30-day visa free basis, once the pandemic restrictions have been lifted, and the “Agreement of Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Maldives and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Grand Aid” focusing on development of key areas such as social, livelihood, and infrastructure projects. 
 
His Excellency Mohamed Aslam, the Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure signed on behalf of the Government, a “Letter of Exchange on the Feasibility Study of Management and Maintenance of China-Maldives Friendship Bridge”. His Excellency Akram Kamauludeen, Minister of State for National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure also signed a “Supplementary Contract to the Implementation Contract for China Aided Micro-Grid Sea-water Desalination Project in the Maldives”. 

 
Finally, His Excellency Ahmed Naseem, Minister of Health, signed the “Agreement on Establishing a Hospital Assistance and Cooperation Programme between the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Maldives and the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China.” 

 
The agreements which were signed will directly benefit the people of Maldives, improving their quality of life through improvement of health services, access to additional outlets for sea water desalination, and by assisting the Government with the maintenance of the flagship China-Maldives Friendship Bridge,