President Xi: China willing to jointly safeguard the common interests of developing nations with Maldives

Chinese President Xi Jinping, during a meeting with President of the Maldives Abdulla Yameen on Saturday, has said that China is willing to enhance coordination with Maldives to jointly safeguard the common interests of developing nations.

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is currently in China to attend the 2nd Youth Olympics Games in Nanjing, eastern China's Jiangsu Province.

Chinese State press news agency Xinhua said that during the meeting between two President’s, President Xi Jinpin said that China understands the Maldives' position as a small island nation in global climate change negotiations, and that China is willing to enhance coordination with Maldives to jointly safeguard the common interests of developing nations.

President Xi Jinpin praised the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties with mutual respect and support between China and Maldives, calling it a model for building equality, friendship and reciprocal cooperation between big and small countries.

Speaking at the meeting, President Yameen said that China is an important cooperative partner of the Maldives that has made important contributions to the economic and social development of the country.

The Maldives values its relations with China and firmly adheres to the one-China policy, President Yameen said, hoping to enhance exchanges and deepen friendship with China, according to Xinhua News Agency.

The Maldives is willing to enhance communication and cooperation with China on international and regional affairs to better cope with global challenges, including climate change, President Yameen said.