On September 30, 2024, the Chinese Embassy in the Maldives held a reception to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. H.E. Ambassador Wang Lixin delivered a speech at the reception. The full text reads as follows:

Hon. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu，

Hon. Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef,

Hon. Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla,

Hon. Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan,

Hon. former President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan,

Hon. Ministers, MPs and party leaders, 

Dear colleagues from the Diplomatic Corps,

Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear friends,

Good afternoon! It’s a great honor to welcome all of you to join us in celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Seventy-five years is only a fleeting moment in human history. But for the Chinese people, for our nation, it has been 75 years of epoch-making changes. The Communist Party of China has united and led the Chinese people in achieving two miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability. China's GDP has increased by 223 times from 1952 to 2023. China has become the second largest economy in the world and contributed over 30% to the global economic growth for many consecutive years. Especially in the past decade, under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the CPC with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we have won the largest battle against poverty in human history, lifting nearly 100 million people out of poverty. We have accomplished building of a moderately prosperous society in all aspects.

Over the past 75 years, China has always pursued peaceful development and made important contributions to world peace and development. In this changing and turbulent world, new risks and challenges keep cropping up. No country can stay unaffected. As a responsible major country, China is committed to contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to the global governance. Chinese President Xi Jinping has put forward the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, advocated high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, proposed the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, called for an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization to realize world modernization together with all the countries, and pledged that China will remain a staunch force for peace, stability and progress of the world, which is widely recognized and welcomed by the international community.

Over the past 75 years, the Communist Party of China is consistently undertaking self-reform, striving to build China into a strong country and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Not long ago, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee has been successfully held. It made a well-conceived overall plan for further deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization, sending a clear signal of expanding high-standard opening up, which will provide new opportunities for the world. China is ready to join hands with all countries in the world including the Maldives to build a community with a shared future for mankind and work together for a better future.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

The Maldives is a traditional friendly neighbor and important cooperation partner of China. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 52 years ago, despite the vicissitudes of the international situation, China and the Maldives have always respected and supported each other, setting a good example of equal treatment, mutual assistance, and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes. This year marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s historic state visit to the Maldives and also the 10th anniversary of the Maldives’ joining the Belt and Road Initiative. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, our bilateral relations have yielded fruitful results. The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, expanded Velana International Airport and social housing projects have brought transformative changes to the Maldivian national development and its people’s livelihood.

In January this year, at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, President Dr. Muizzu made a successful state visit to China. The two heads of state announced to elevate our relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and work toward a China-Maldives community with a shared future. The relations of our two countries have come to a new high. Currently, both sides are working very hard to implement the consensus made by our two heads of state. We are accelerating China-aided projects to develop a 100-bed tertiary hospital in Vilimalé and to develop the roads of Malé and Vilimalé to establish new landmarks for our cooperation. Both sides are trying to expand cooperation in tourism, agriculture, fishery, trade and investment areas. China stays as the largest tourism market for the Maldives with the tourist arrivals from China exceeding 210,000. In the coming golden week of our National Day holiday, we are looking forward a large number of Chinese tourists coming here. We have also seen increasing people-to-people exchanges in the fields of culture, education, sports, women, youth and media. We are working together to promote exchanges and cooperation between China’s provinces & cities and Maldivian atolls & islands so as to bring more benefits to our two peoples. 

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

I am delighted to notice that, the Maldivian Government is devoted to economic diversification and sustainability, promoting economic reforms, improving the people’s livelihood, and playing a leading role in the climate change issue under the framework of SIDS. The Chinese side highly appreciates this and will continue to support the Maldives in enhancing its capacity for independent development, exploring a development path that suits its national conditions, and playing a more active role in the international affairs.

My experience in this amazing country has told me that the Maldives may be small, but its vision is big; the resources may be limited, but the potential is unlimited; the natural conditions may be vulnerable, but the Maldivian people are resilient. I think that’s why you can make such remarkable achievements and become the world leading destination of tourism. Keeping this in mind, I’m fully confident that under the leadership of President Dr. Muizzu and with the hard work of all the people, the Maldives will get better and better, and achieve even greater progress and prosperity.

Just as a Maldivian proverb goes, “A solid foundation is essential for a well-built edifice.” Standing on a new historical starting point, China is ready to join hands with the Maldives to enhance strategic mutual trust, carry forward traditional friendship, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation. Together, we strive to build a community with a shared future, benefiting the people of both countries.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitudes to President Dr. Muizzu, the Maldivian government, the People’s Majlis and friends from all walks of life. Thank you all for your unremitting efforts and great contributions to promoting China-Maldives friendly cooperation. Thank you all for your strong support to our Embassy over the past long period of time. We are looking forward to working more closely with all of you toward a better future for China-Maldives friendly relations.

May I wish both China and Maldives prosperity, our two peoples happiness and well-being!

May I wish our two countries enjoy everlasting friendship!

May I wish all the distinguished guests enjoy good health and full success!

Thank you very much!