On February 15, 2024, H.E. Ambassador Wang Lixin delivered remarks at Fujian Cultural and Tourism Promotion Event. The full text is as follows:
Honorable Mr. Ibrahim Faisal, Minister of Tourism,
Honorable Ms. Sheryna Abdul Samad, Minister of state for Foriegn Affairs,
Honorable Deputy Ministers,
Respected Mr. Lin Xiangdong and Mr. Li Lin,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen，
Dear friends,
Very good evening!
It gives me great pleasure to attend the Fujian Culture and Tourism Promotion Event. First of all, I’d like to extend warm congratulations on the successful inauguration of the event.
China and the Maldives are close neighbors, and the traditional friendship between the two peoples dates back to ancient times. Over the past 52 years since the establishment of the diplomatic relations, our two countries have always respected each other, treated each other as equals, helped each other with sincerity. China-Maldives relationship has become a model of friendly exchanges, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes in the world.
Early last month, at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, President Dr. Muizzu paid a very successful state visit to China. Two heads of states agreed to elevate our bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, reached important consensus on further promoting exchanges & cooperation in various fields, including culture and tourism area. This visit has opened a new chapter for China-Maldives friendly cooperation and will take our bilateral relations to a new high. Fujian province is the first stop of the state visit paid by President Dr. Muizzu to China last month. The whole delegation was deeply impressed by the unique colorful culture and dynamic economic development in Fujian. During President Muizzu’s visit to Fujian, both sides reached consensus on strengthening local government cooperation. Today’s culture program and the inauguration of direct flights are prompt follow-ups of President Muizzu’s visit. I believe it will help Maldivian friends to have a better understanding about Fujian. Hope you can visit and experience Fujian very soon.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Culture and tourism cooperation has played an important role in our bilateral relations for many years, which has greatly strengthened the friendship between our two peoples. The Chinese people are always very eager to visit the Maldives and enjoy beautiful blue sky, crystal sea and peaceful beach here. Actually, the successful visit of President Dr. Muizzu makes Maldives even more popular and attractive among Chinese tourists. As a result, Now China has become the No.1 largest tourist market. Yesterday we welcomed the inaugural and fully booked flight from Fuzhou City to Male by Xiamen airlines. Currently, there have been 5 Chinese cities linked with Maldives by direct flights, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Hong Kong and Fuzhou. With the increase of direct flights between our two countries, we can expect an increasing number of Chinese tourists visiting Maldives in the future.
Dear friends,
Fujian has been reputed as “A land of Blessings”, not only because the first syllable of its name “Fu” means “blessings” in Chinese, but more for its pleasant climate, abundant resources and cultural heritage. Fujian was also the start point of Maritime Silk Road. Over 600 years ago, the world famous navigator Zheng He left the port in Fujian and visited Maldives twice, which opened the gate of friendship between China and Maldives. The ancient silk road had connected our two peoples closely. Maldives is one of the first group of countries that took part in the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping and has benefited a lot from that. The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge is a landmark project and has become a symbol of our profound friendship. The potentials of exchanges and cooperation between Fujian and Maldives are enormous. I fully believe Fujian will give full play to its advantages on cooperation with Maldives on the fields of tourism, fishery, modern agriculture, blue economy as well as digital economy. Fuzhou, the capital city of Fujian has established sister city relations with Male, which will open a new avenue for exchange and cooperation between the two cities. I hope Fujian will play an even greater role in promote people to people exchanges and mutual understanding and friendship between China and Maldives.
To conclude, today is the 6th day of Chinese new year of dragon. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish our friends present today a happy and prosperous new year. I firmly believe that China-Maldives friendship and Fujian-Maldives exchanges and cooperation will surely embrace a brighter future!
Thank you!