OP-ED: The four global initiatives in action: A living example of China-Maldives relations

The following is an op-ed written by Kong Xianhua, the Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives.

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Since arriving in the Maldives, I have often been asked by local friends: Why is China willing to help the Maldives? How does China view the future of bilateral cooperation?

In my view, China-Maldives relations cannot be fully understood through the narrow lens of geopolitical competition. An important perspective is provided by the four global initiatives proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping: the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative. They provide important guidance for building a community with a shared future for humanity and charting the course for China-Maldives cooperation.

Global Governance Initiative: Treating Countries, Big and Small, as Equals

The Global Governance Initiative advocates sovereign equality, the rule of international law, multilateralism and a people-centered approach.

Sovereign equality is key to understanding China-Maldives relations. Despite differences in national conditions and size, our two countries have consistently upheld mutual respect and equality.

Eight years ago, the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge opened to traffic. It improved daily mobility for local residents and supported economic development. More importantly, it helped change how many Maldivians viewed China. Realized reasonable pricing by the Chinese contractor, a grant from the Chinese government, and concessional financing, the project overcame significant engineering and funding challenges, demonstrating that countries, regardless of size, can support one another and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes through cooperation on an equal footing.

Global Civilization Initiative: Building Friendship Through Mutual Understanding

China and the Maldives have distinct histories and cultures, yet our peoples share aspirations for peace and development. Peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom are the common values of humanity and an important foundation for exchanges and cooperation among countries.

In recent years, people-to-people and cultural exchanges between our two countries have continued to deepen. We have invited Maldivian friends from various sectors to visit China and gain a more authentic, multidimensional and comprehensive understanding of the country. Meanwhile, more Chinese tourists are visiting the Maldives, appreciating not only its natural beauty but also its society and culture.

Such exchanges bring our peoples closer and deepen mutual understanding. Political trust and practical cooperation between governments are essential, but friendship between our peoples is equally important to the long-term development of bilateral relations.

Global Security Initiative: Working Together for a Peaceful and Stable Indian Ocean

The Global Security Initiative emphasizes respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and the peaceful resolution of differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation.

For an Indian Ocean island nation like the Maldives, a peaceful and stable regional environment is essential to economic development and improved livelihoods. The Indian Ocean should serve as a bridge connecting countries and promoting common development, not a stage for geopolitical confrontation.

The Maldives is not the “backyard” of any country. China respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Maldives and supports its right to choose its own development path in light of its national conditions. China stands ready to work with the Maldives through dialogue and cooperation to address common challenges, including climate change and marine environmental protection, and to help build an Indian Ocean that is peaceful, stable, open and cooperative.

Global Development Initiative: Ensuring Cooperation Benefits Both Peoples

Development lies at the heart of China-Maldives cooperation and reflects shared aspirations of our two peoples.

The Global Development Initiative prioritizes development and a people-centered approach, promotes inclusiveness and universal benefits, innovation-driven growth and harmony between humanity and nature. It seeks to accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Projects such as the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, Velana International Airport upgrades and the Hulhumalé development have supported the Maldives in improving infrastructure and expanding its economic opportunities, while we are also advancing projects to improve roads and develop healthcare facilities.

Beyond infrastructure, we place great importance on strengthening the Maldives’ own capacity for development. Recently, Maldivian engineers traveled to China for technical training in bridge maintenance, a practical example of our efforts to build local capacity. China is also ready to deepen cooperation with the Maldives in renewable energy, modern fisheries, modern agriculture and the digital economy, while promoting talent development and technical exchanges to foster new sources of economic growth.

We hope to see not only a Maldives with better infrastructure, but also one with stronger development capacity, a more solid economic foundation and continuously improving living standards.

Working Together for a Better Future

All four global initiatives emphasize action. The value of an idea ultimately lies in its implementation, and the success of cooperation must be measured by the tangible benefits it brings to people.

Why is China willing to share its development experience with the Maldives, cooperate on infrastructure and support talent development? Because we believe that all peoples have the right to pursue a better life, that development should not be the privilege of a few countries, and that no country should be left behind in global development.

In January 2024, President Xi Jinping and President Muizzu held talks, during which bilateral ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership. This laid an important foundation for future cooperation.

Looking ahead to the next decade, China is working toward basically achieving socialist modernization by 2035, while the Maldives is pursuing its development vision for 2040. By better aligning our development strategies, both countries can turn their respective strengths into greater opportunities and more tangible results.

By upholding mutual respect and mutual benefit and focusing on practical action, we can continue to build a China-Maldives community with a shared future, advance our respective development visions and work together toward a prosperous, peaceful, beautiful and harmonious home for all.