Xi, leaders engage in high-level talks

Editor's note: President Xi Jinping held a series of bilateral meetings on Sunday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2025 in Tianjin. The following are highlights of the talks.

Joint BRI effort with Maldives highlighted

President Xi Jinping said on Sunday that the China-Maldives comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples, and he called on the two countries to further deepen practical cooperation.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu in Tianjin. He said that China will continue to support the Maldives in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

He also expressed China's readiness to strengthen exchanges with the Maldives at various levels, including between political parties, legislative bodies and governments, and to enhance mutual understanding and mutual trust and foster closer people-to-people bonds.

Noting that the two countries have achieved positive progress in advancing Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said that China will continue to deepen practical cooperation with the Maldives to ensure the effective implementation of the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement, and to carry out cooperation in various areas such as fisheries, marine scientific research, environmental protection, and disaster prevention and reduction.

The two countries should strengthen communication and coordination, safeguard common strategic interests and uphold international fairness and justice, in order to jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi said.

Muizzu said that China, with its profound culture and commitment to building a community with a shared future for humanity, has been a stabilizing force in a turbulent world.

The close Maldives-China relationship has set an example of equal cooperation between nations of different sizes, he said, adding that his country appreciates China's long-standing support in advancing its economic development and improving people's livelihoods.

JI HAISHENG