Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Asim has, on his visit to the People’s Republic of China, met with Maldivian students studying there, in addition to a number of senior Chinese officials and businessmen.
The Minister, who is currently on an official visit to China, met and interacted with the students studying in Beijing on Friday, said the Ministry.
The Minister also met with students studying at Beijing Foreign Studies University.
On Saturday, Minister Asim met with students studying in Dalian Medical University, where he addressed the students.
Highlighting that the University “produces one of the highest number of Maldivian medical graduates,” Minister Asim spoke on President Abdulla Yameen’s key pledges “of providing and promoting high-quality education for all Maldivians and securing a brighter future for the youth.”
He described the students as “the best Ambassadors of Maldives in China, helping to enhance the close cordial relationship between the two countries.”
The Minister also met with the General Secretary of the Dalian Medical University, Sun Zhao Lin, who awarded two Chinese government scholarship opportunities from the University “as a token of friendship between the two countries.”
Thanking the General Secretary on behalf of the government, Minister Asim expressed hope that the quota allocation for Maldivian students will be increased in prestigious learning centers in China in the near future.
The foreign Minister also met with the Mayor of Dalian, Xiao Shengfeng on Saturday, who hosted a luncheon on his honor.
Minister Asim called on Vice President Li Yuanchao on Friday, where both parties expressed commitment on further strengthening the existing friendly bilateral relations between the two countries.
Minister Asim also highlighted that China remains the number one tourist market in Maldives.
Furthermore, noting that 2017 marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Maldives and China, the Minister expressed hope on marking the occasion “in a special manner.”
In addition, the Minister has met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the President of Exim Bank China.