President Dr Mohamed Muizzu attended a welcome banquet today, hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Madame Peng Liyuan.

The banquet was held at the Tianjin Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre in honour of visiting Heads of State and Government, as well as leaders of international organisations and multilateral agencies taking part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.

President Dr Muizzu is in China on an official visit at the invitation of President Xi Jinping to attend the SCO Summit. This marks his second visit to China since assuming office in November 2023, highlighting the strengthening partnership and growing ties between the Maldives and China.

The SCO, founded in 2001, is a regional organisation that promotes political, economic, and security cooperation across Eurasia, offering member and partner countries a platform to collaborate on common challenges and strategic priorities.