Vice President Affirms Strong Ties with China at Blue Economy Forum

Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has affirmed that China has always been a reliable friend of the Maldives. He made this statement while delivering opening remarks at the group meeting between leaders attending the Third China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Blue Economy Development Cooperation and Chinese government dignitaries.

The meeting was presided over by Wang Yong, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). In his remarks, Vice President Latheef expressed sincere gratitude to the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) and the Yunnan Provincial People’s Government for their warm hospitality.

He reiterated the Maldives’ commitment to the One-China Principle, which he described as key to maintaining stable ties between the two countries. The Third China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Blue Economy Development Cooperation provides a unique opportunity for collaboration and exchange, he added.

The Maldives is playing a key role as a co-host of this year’s forum, which is organised by CIDCA. The event, taking place from 15 to 17 December in Kunming, Yunnan Province, revolves around the theme “The Future of the Blue Indian Ocean Development, Practice of the Global South.”

The forum’s agenda includes opening and closing ceremonies, thematic discussions, subforums, and round tables on various pertinent topics. For the first time, the forum will also feature a dialogue between governments and enterprises, according to CIDCA. This dialogue aims to discuss feasible pathways and best practices for multi-stakeholder engagement in international development cooperation.

Vice President Latheef is attending at the invitation of the Chinese government. On Sunday, he attended a welcome banquet hosted by CIDCA in honour of delegates participating in the Third China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Blue Economy Development Cooperation.