News Desk
MALÉ, Maldives — In a heartfelt tribute to a steadfast ally, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu celebrated China’s ascent from postwar struggles to global prominence on Monday, offering congratulations ahead of the People’s Republic’s 76th National Day and committing to stronger bilateral ties amid common challenges in climate and development.
At a reception in the capital hosted by the Chinese Embassy at the Barceló Nasandhura, President Muizzu spoke of the “immense joy and sincere admiration” he felt in sharing the festivities, where Maldivian officials, diplomats and guests gathered to honor the Oct. 1 holiday.
“On behalf of the government and people of the Maldives, I extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes to His Excellency President Xi Jinping, the government and the friendly people of China,” he said, his words laced with genuine warmth.
With the measured rhythm of a leader attuned to his audience, President Muizzu traced China’s 76-year path since the republic’s founding in 1949, framing it as a profound lesson in resilience. “In the span of just 76 years, China has risen from the shadows of adversity to stand tall as one of the most dynamic and influential nations of our era,” he said. He marveled at key achievements, the eradication of extreme poverty, breakthroughs in technology, vast bridges and satellites in orbit, calling it “not merely a story of progress, but one of vision, perseverance and the boundless potential of the human spirit.”
For the Maldives, a sun-drenched archipelago acutely aware of rising seas, China’s partnership goes far beyond formal diplomacy. “China has consistently stood with the Maldives and other small island states in advancing the cause of sustainability, resilience and fairness in the global arena,” President Muizzu said. “We value China’s commitment to multilateralism, its voice in championing the rights of developing nations, and its willingness to walk beside us as we shape a world where no country, however small, is left behind.”
He recalled his own visits to China with fondness, where he had seen not only the scale of its accomplishments but also the humility and hospitality of its people. “Those moments reminded me that our relationship is not measured in steel and stone, but in the bonds of respect, empathy and solidarity between our peoples,” he added.
Those ties are woven into the very fabric of Malé’s daily life: Chinese-backed bridge now span parts of the Greater Malé region; affordable housing projects provide shelter for families; and newly equipped classrooms prepare the next generation for what lies ahead.
“This friendship is reflected here in Malé — in the bridges that connect our communities, in the housing that shelters our families, in the classrooms where our young minds prepare for the future,” President Muizzu said. “And it is reflected in the thousands of Chinese visitors who choose the Maldives as their holiday haven, turning tourism — the heartbeat of our economy — into a vibrant bridge between our nations.”
As an island nation, the Maldives confronts the encroaching realities of higher seas, economic shifts and the pressing need to safeguard the environment for future generations. In these efforts, China stands as a reliable partner, lending its support to the Maldives’ calls for climate justice at venues like the United Nations and amplifying the voices of smaller powers.
President Muizzu described the relationship as truly mutual, “a bridge stronger than steel, enduring across generations and able to withstand the storms of time.” Looking forward, he called for deeper cooperation in politics, trade, culture and education, all aimed at realizing “the shared dream of a sustainable and prosperous future.”
In closing, he offered these words to lasting friendship: “May the red flag of China continue to rise with pride and purpose. May the journey of the Chinese people continue to inspire the world. And may the friendship between the Maldives and China remain as constant as the ocean that unites us, and as enduring as the stars that guide us.”
The gathering, attended by First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed, Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Chinese Ambassador Kong Xianhua, ministers, senior officials, members of Parliament and representatives from the Maldivian and Chinese business communities, highlighted the growing affinity between the two nations — separated by thousands of miles of the Indian Ocean yet united by aligned interests in an uncertain world.
