Maldivian President Maumoon AbdulGayoom said on Sunday that
China is the best friend of the Maldives and he appreciates China's
long-term support and aid to his country.
He made the remarks during his talks with the Chinese delegation
led by He Yong, member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee
of the Communist Party of China (CPC), according to reports
reaching Colombo from the Maldivian capital of Male.
Gayoom also expressed appreciation for China's long-term support
to the Maldives in defending its sovereignty and independence.
He Yong, who is also the Deputy Secretary of the Central
Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC, said that the CPC
and the Chinese government always attach great importance to the
relations between China and the Maldives.
The relations between China and the Maldives have developed
smoothly in more than three decades after the establishment of
diplomatic relations, he said, adding that the cooperation between
the two countries in various aspects is becoming increasingly
closer.
At the invitation of the Maldivian government, He Yong and the
CPC delegation arrived Male Saturday to make their two-day visit to
the Indian Ocean archipelago.
(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2006)
