China says ‘some people’ can’t stand its friendship with Maldives

TIL Desk/World/Beijing/ China on Thursday said “some people” cannot stand its friendship with the Maldives even as its President-elect Ibrahim Solih has assured that his country will implement all the projects agreed between Beijing and Male.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said its Ambassador to the Maldives Zhang Lizhong met Solih recently and told him that Beijing was willing to work and deepen cooperation with the new government after pro-Beijing leader Abdulla Yameen was defeated in last month’s election.

Yameen had earlier signed a slew of agreements with Beijing perceived to be favouring China more. In the run-up to the polls, Solih’s Maldivian Democratic Party had criticized the increased Chinese investment, especially the Free Trade Deal Abdulla’s government rushed through Parliament without debate.

Giving details about the meeting between Solih and Chinese envoy, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said: “He (Solih) said his government will stay committed to enhancing ties with China following the already signed cooperation agreements and continue to implement the existing projects.