After urging Indians to boycott Maldives, President Mohamed Muzammil has appealed to China to send more tourists.
Amid cancellations by Indian tourists following a diplomatic row, the President of the Maldives has requested China to boost the influx of tourists.
In response to Indians suggesting a tourism boycott of the Maldives in favor of domestic destinations, the President of the island nation, Mohamed Muizzu, has called on China to step up efforts to bring in more tourists to the Maldives.
President Muizzu, recognized for his pro-China position, referred to Beijing as the Maldives' "closest" ally during his five-day visit to China. Emphasizing the strong alliance between the Maldives and China, Muizzu commended China as a crucial partner and appealed for increased investment.
According to a statement on his official website, Muizzu stated, "China was our (Maldives') number one market pre-Covid, and it is my request that we intensify efforts for China to regain this position."
In addition to expressing admiration for China, President Muizzu lauded the impactful infrastructure projects stemming from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the Maldives.
Addressing the Maldives Business Forum in Fujian Province, Muizzu underscored the importance of China as a crucial ally and collaborative partner in development. He specifically urged increased endeavors to restore China's status as the Maldives' main tourism market, referencing its previous role as the primary source of tourists prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maldives and China Enter Agreement for $50 Million Tourism Projects
During his visit, the president of the Maldives inked a USD 50 million deal with China for a joint project to create an integrated tourism zone on the Indian Ocean island, as reported by PTI based on local media coverage.
This collaboration highlights the growing closeness between the two nations. Meanwhile, relations between India and the Maldives are strained, marked by a boycott initiated by Indians against Maldives tourism. This boycott originated after a Maldives minister made disrespectful remarks about PM Modi following his visit to Lakshadweep, leading to numerous cancellations by Indian tourists.
In response, the Maldives government has taken measures to address the situation, including the suspension of three deputy ministers responsible for the offensive social media posts. However, despite these efforts, the widespread boycott against the Maldives has resulted in a substantial number of cancellations by Indian tourists.
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