|
BEIJING, Dec. 7-- China and the Maldives Thursday agreed to jointly promote the Belt and Road Initiative to energize bilateral ties. The consensus was reached during talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom of the Maldives, held at the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing. The two presidents witnessed the signing of 12 agreements, including a memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road construction, a free trade agreement and agreements on the economy, human resources, oceans, environment, health care and finance. Xi told Yameen that the Belt and Road Initiative squares with the development strategies of the Maldives. He said China regards the Maldives as an important partner in the construction of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. "China is willing to dovetail the development strategies with the Maldives and share opportunities to realize common prosperity," Xi said. Proposed by Xi in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa on and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes. It comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. This year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Yameen is the first president of an Asian country to visit China since the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held in October. | 
