President Mohamed Nasheed has this morning met with Minister of Commerce of China Mr Cheng Deming.

Discussions at the meeting held at the President’s Office were mainly focused on promoting trade and economic ties between the Maldives and China. President Nasheed and Mr Deming also discussed on ways of increasing Chinese assistance to the Maldives and ongoing development projects in the Maldives with Chinese assistance.

President Nasheed expressed the Maldives’ interest to work with China on many fronts including climate change and green growth. Briefing the Minister on ongoing renewable energy projects in the Maldives, the President declared the government willingness to work with Chinese companies to begin such a renewable energy project.

Thanking the Chinese government for the support it has rendered to the Maldives in the past, including the new national museum, the President underscored the proposed housing project to build 1000 housing units with Chinese assistance under the government housing project. 

Mr Chen Deming assured the President that the Chinese government would continue its assistance and support for the development of the Maldives. He said Chinese government encouraged Chinese investors to invest in the Maldives, and was working to create incentives for Chinese investors to invest in the Maldives. 

Mr Deming noted the Maldives’ cooperation with China in global climate change talks, and said the Chinese government was willing to work with the Maldives to achieve an important outcome in Cancun later this year.

Chinese Minister of Commerce Mr Deming is on an official visit to the Maldives at an invitation of the Maldives Minister of Economic Development. He is accompanied a Chinese business delegation.