President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has sent a message of congratulations to Chinese President Xi Jinping, for winning a third term as the President.

Xi was voted in unanimously by 2,952 members of China's parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. There were no other candidates. Afterwards, Xi shook hands with his ally and premier-in-waiting Li Qiang, who is poised to become China's number two leader and will oversee the economy.

The Chinese Embassy in the Maldives noted that the message sent to Xi noted on further strengthening the ties between the Maldives and China.

The President's Office is yet to acknowledge the message.