BEIJING: China on Thursday said that it firmly opposed external interference in the internal affairs of the Maldives and supports the island nation in upholding its sovereignty and independence as Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu concluded his maiden visit here amid a diplomatic row with India. However, China didn’t refer to any country.
“The two sides agree to continue firmly supporting each other in safeguarding their respective core interests,” said a joint statement issued at the end of Muizzu’s talks with the top Chinese leaders.
Muizzu met Chinese Premier Li Qiang and discussed ways to increase the number of tourists from China to his tourism-dependent country.
Mohamed Muizzu was recently involved in a diplomatic row with India over derogatory statements made by three Maldivian ministers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.