‘Send more tourists…,’ Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu urges China after Indians call for boycott
Amid the ongoing boycott calls by Indians to Maldives tourism, the President of the island nation Mohamed Muizzu urged China to increase efforts to attract more tourists to his country.
During his five-day visit to China, President Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, termed Beijing as the island nation’s “closest” ally. While emphasising the close alliance between Maldvies and China, Muizzu praised China as a key partner and urged it to increase investment.
“China was our (Maldives’) number one market pre-Covid, and it is my request that we intensify efforts for China to regain this position,” according to a readout posted on his official website.
Apart from showering praises on China, he also commended the transformative infrastructure projects initiated through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the Maldives.
Speaking at the Maldives Business Forum in Fujian Province, Muizzu highlighted the significance of China as a vital ally and development collaborator. He specifically requested heightened efforts to regain China’s position as the primary market for Maldivian tourism, citing China’s prior status as the leading source of tourists before the COVID-19 pandemic.
During his visit, reports surfaced regarding the signing of a USD 50 million project aimed at developing an integrated tourism zone in the Maldives, signifying collaborative efforts between China and the island nation.
However, Muizzu’s appeal for increased Chinese tourism arrives amidst a diplomatic strain following derogatory remarks made by some Maldivian ministers against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This incident led to cancellations of reservations by Indian tourists.
Acknowledging the importance of tourism in the Maldives, Muizzu’s administration has taken steps to address the situation by suspending three deputy ministers responsible for the derogatory social media posts and receiving strong condemnation from the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) against such comments.
Despite India holding the top position as the largest tourist market for the Maldives in recent years, Muizzu’s government aims to revive tourism from China, considering its historical significance before the pandemic. Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, emphasized efforts to diversify the Maldivian economy while prioritizing tourism, economic stability, and the swift implementation of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed with China to strengthen bilateral commercial ties between both nations.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it’s all here, just a click away! Login Now!
Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
Published: 09 Jan 2024, 08:04 PM IST
