His Excellency Ambassador Kong Xianhua,

Ministers,

Members of Parliament,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalam-alaikum, and a very good evening.

It is a great pleasure and honour to be with you this evening, as we celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, which is marked on 1 October. On behalf of the Government and the people of the Maldives, I extend my warmest greetings and sincere good wishes to His Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, the Government, and the people of China.

Tonight, we celebrate not only a national day. We celebrate a remarkable journey. A journey of resilience. A journey of transformation. And a journey of a nation that, through determination and vision, has made an extraordinary contribution to the world.

China’s achievements in economic development, technology, infrastructure and human advancement are widely recognised. We congratulate the Chinese people on these achievements, and wish China continued peace, prosperity and success.

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,

The Maldives and China may be separated by great distances, but the sea between us has never been a barrier. For centuries, our peoples have been connected through the maritime routes of the Indian Ocean. Through those routes travelled goods and ideas; cultures and traditions; and, over time, friendship. That history carries an important message: Geography may determine where nations stand, but friendship determines how closely they stand together.

The Maldives attaches great importance to its longstanding friendship with China. Our relationship is founded on mutual respect, sovereign equality, peaceful coexistence, and the Maldives’ steadfast commitment to the One China Principle.

Today, that historic friendship has developed into a broad and forward-looking partnership. Following my State Visit to China, at the gracious invitation of President Xi in 2024, our relations were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership. This was not simply a change in terminology. It was a reflection of the depth of our friendship, and of our shared ambition for the future.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

For the people of the Maldives, our friendship with China is not something that exists only in diplomatic statements. It is visible. It is tangible. And it touches everyday lives.

China’s contribution to our national development can be seen in modern urban initiatives, sustainable island infrastructure, education, technical training and institutional support. And the strength of a partnership is not measured only by the agreements we sign. It is measured by what those agreements make possible. And in the Maldives, the friendship with China can quite literally be seen.

We see it in the China–Maldives Friendship Bridge, which has become a defining symbol of modern Malé. We see it in housing projects that provide families with homes. We see it in infrastructure, education and other development initiatives. And we see it in the growing opportunities for trade and economic engagement, supported by the Free Trade Agreement between our two countries.

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the China–Maldives Everlasting Friendship Park, where we commemorated the anniversary of the Friendship Bridge. Standing there, I was reminded of something very simple: A bridge is never only made of concrete and steel. A bridge represents connection. It connects people. It connects communities. And, ultimately, it connects nations. That is what we want the Maldives–China relationship to continue to be: a bridge to opportunity and prosperity, in our journey to become a developed state by 2040.

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,

We gather this evening at a challenging moment for the international community. Conflicts and instability in different parts of the world continue to affect lives, economies and global markets. The consequences are felt far beyond the areas directly affected, through rising commodity and energy prices, economic uncertainty, and increased pressure on vulnerable economies.

For small island developing states such as the Maldives, these shocks can be particularly severe. Our economies are exposed to developments beyond our shores. Our geographical realities magnify the impact of global crises. And our limited resources can make recovery more difficult.

These realities remind us of something fundamental:

No country, however large or small, can face today’s challenges alone. We need dialogue instead of division. We need cooperation instead of confrontation. And we need partnerships built on mutual respect and trust.

Peace creates the space for development. Stability creates the foundation for prosperity. And cooperation gives nations the strength to overcome challenges together. This is why the Maldives values its friendship with China.

At important moments in our journey, China has stood alongside the Maldives. We deeply appreciate this friendship, and we look forward to strengthening it further as we navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The world is changing faster than ever. Climate change is reshaping our environment. Technology is transforming our economies and our societies. Global economic uncertainty is testing our resilience. And the challenges of food, energy and economic security are becoming increasingly interconnected.

For the Maldives, these challenges make strong international partnerships not merely desirable, they are essential. We therefore look forward to expanding our cooperation with China, including through China’s four global initiatives, and to further aligning our partnership with the national development priorities of the Maldives.

But beyond governments and institutions, there is something even more important——people.

The strongest friendships between nations are ultimately friendships between people. Every student who studies abroad. Every entrepreneur who creates a new opportunity. Every family brought closer through greater connectivity. Every exchange between our communities. These are the human foundations upon which lasting partnerships are built. And this is the future we want for Maldives-China relations.

A partnership that creates opportunities. A partnership that delivers for our people. And a partnership that grows stronger with every generation.

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,

As we celebrate China’s National Day this evening, let us celebrate a friendship that has travelled across oceans, grown through decades, and continues to build bridges towards the future.

May the friendship between the Maldives and China continue to deepen. May our cooperation continue to bring greater opportunities and prosperity to our peoples. And may our two countries continue to work together for a more peaceful, stable and prosperous world.

On behalf of the Government and the people of the Maldives, I once again extend my warmest congratulations and sincere good wishes to President Xi Jinping, the Government, and the people of the People’s Republic of China.

May China continue to prosper. And, as a symbol of the enduring bonds between our nations, may the bridge between the Maldives and China remain strong, bringing our peoples closer for generations to come.

Thank you.