China's Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kong Xuanyou arrived in the Maldives on Friday, on a three-day official visit.

The Assistant Minister was received by joint secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aishtha Azeema and director Ahmed Fazeel, at Velana International Airport.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Assistant Minister arrived in the Maldives to participate in the sixth round of consultations between both foreign ministries.

The last round of consulations was held in January 2014.

During his trip, Xuanyou will also call on President Abdulla Yameen, meet with Foreign Minister, Dr. Mohamed Asim, and visit the ongoing project sites under the assistance of the Chinese government.

The Assistant Minister met with Minister of Economic Development, Mohamed Saeed in August 2016, where Saeed briefed Xuanyou on the progress of ongoing development projects in the Maldives with the assistance of the Chinese Government including the “China-Maldives Friendship Bridge”, Housing Development Projects and the Airport Development Project.

Neighboring India has expressed concern over China's growing influence in the country, most recently over the leasing of Feydhoo Finolhu, to a Chinese company for thre development of a resort. 

In January 2017, Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives, Wang Fukang said the "Indian attention on a Maldivian tourism lease with a Chinese company is very surprising."