On May 5, Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives H.E. Mr. Kong Xianhua met with the new Minister of Defense and National Service, Hon. Mr. Hassan Rasheed. The two sides exchanged views on defense cooperation, among others.

Ambassador Kong congratulated Rasheed on his new appointment. He noted that at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, President Mohamed Muizzu has successfully visited China twice, elevating the China-Maldives relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership. The construction of a China-Maldives community with a shared future is progressing steadily.

Kong emphasized that China remains committed to strengthening defense cooperation and supports the Maldives in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity，and exploring a development path that suits its own national conditions.

Minister Rasheed expressed his gratitude for China's long-standing contributions to the Maldives' defense capabilities and spoke highly of China's key role in maintaining global peace and stability. He expressed hope that China would continue to support the Maldives' national defense construction, helping to enhance its defense capabilities and, in turn, improve the well-being of the Maldivian people.