FIO Delegation Visits Maldivian Maritime Ministries for Collaboration
From August 26 to 28, the FIO delegation visited the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources of Maldives and its subordinate Marine Research Institute, the Ministry of Tourism and the Environment and its subordinate Meteorological Department, as well as the Maldives National University and other marine-related research institutions. The delegation also paid a visit to the Chinese Embassy in the Maldives.
FIO has been closely collaborating with relevant marine-related ministries in the Maldives since early 2024. During this visit, both sides held in-depth discussions on ongoing cooperative projects and capacity-building initiatives, identified plans for advancing these efforts, and further expanded the scope of cooperation.
During the meeting with the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Director General LI Tiegang noted that the ministry and China's Ministry of Natural Resources signed an inter-ministerial cooperation agreement in early 2024, and that the President of the Maldives is scheduled to visit China soon. He expressed hope that FIO and the Marine Research Institute of Maldives would implement the inter-ministerial agreement and work together to advance the China-Maldives blue partnership. Minister Ahmed Shiyam of the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources expressed his agreement and anticipation for further deepening cooperation in marine science and technology development with FIO, including advancing joint project applications, training programs, and exchange visits. In November, FIO and the Marine Research Institute of Maldives will co-host a South Asia Marine Science and Technology Training Program in the Maldives. Following the visit, the official media of the Maldivian Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources published news coverage of the FIO delegation's visit.
On August 31, Chinese President XI Jinping met with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu in Tianjin. President Xi emphasized China is ready to deepen practical collaboration with Maldives and strengthen cooperation in marine scientific survey, environment protection and disaster prevention and mitigation. This visit to Maldives represents a concrete effort by FIO to implement the outcomes of the head-of-state diplomacy between the two countries. Moving forward, FIO will continue to advance cooperation with the Maldives in marine science, technology, and capacity building, contributing to the joint construction of a China-Maldives maritime community with a shared future.
Post by the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources regarding this visit
Meeting with the Maldivian Ministry of Tourism and the Environment, and the Meteorological Department
Meeting with the Maldives National University