The governments of Maldives and China has signed an agreement today on Mutual Visa Exemption, which allows Maldivians to travel to China on a 30-day visa free basis.

The agremeent was signed during State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Wang Yi's state visit to the Maldives. During his visit, official talks were also held between the countries.

The signing of these key agreements were held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today, after the talks.

The agreements that were signed during the visit were “Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption between the Government of the Maldives and the Government 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 Maldives and the Government of China on Grant Aid” focusing on development of key areas such as social, livelihood, and infrastructure projects. Both these agreements were signed by Ahmed Khaleel on behalf of the Government of Maldives.

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”. 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, Ahmed Naseem, Minister of Health, signed the “Agreement on Establishing a Hospital Assistance and Cooperation Programme between the Ministry of Health of the Maldives and the National Health Commission of China.”

The agreements signed today, will directly benefit the people of Maldives, improving their quality of health services, providing additional outlets for sea water desalination, and by assisting the Government with the maintenance of the flagship China-Maldives Friendship Bridge.