On 20-22 May, 2023, H.E. Wang Yubo, the Governor of Yunnan Province of China paid a friendly visit to the Republic of Maldives at the invitation of H.E. Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Governor Wang Yubo called on H.E. President Solih at the President's Office. President Solih thought highly of the Global Development Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping and expressed strong willingness to cooperate with China in implementing GDI. The two sides reached broad consensus on enhancing future cooperation between Yunnan Province and the Maldives.

Governor Wang Yubo held a meeting with H.E. Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives. Minister Shahid expressed sincere appreciation for the Chinese government's generous assistance in advancing the Maldives' socioeconomic development. Both sides agreed to strengthen substantive cooperation in the fields of agriculture, education, sports, tourism and trade.

Governor Wang Yubo, Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, H.E. Ambassador Wang Lixin and H.E. State Minister Ahmed Khaleel witnessed the signing of two important agreements on sports and education cooperation between Yunnan Province and the Maldivian side.

Governor Wang Yubo and Ambassador Wang Lixin attended the handover ceremony of Yunnan Hand in Hand Programs in Maldives held in Himmafushi Island. The Yunnan Province will donate solar street lamps to Himmafushi Island and teaching and sports equipment to Maafushi Island.

Governor Wang Yubo visited the Table Tennis Hall in Male where two coaches from Yunnan Province were training the Maldivian players. Governor Wang encouraged the Chinese coaches and Maldivian athletes to work harder for even better results and promised to provide more help to Maldivian Table Tennis player.