Senior CPC leader arrives in Maldives for visit

At the invitation of the Maldivian government, Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), arrived here on Friday afternoon starting his two-day official visit to the Maldives.

Li delivered a written speech at the airport, applauding the robust growth of the bilateral ties since the two nations forged diplomatic relationship 40 years ago, noting the Maldives is an important nation in South Asia and the China-Maldives relations have been a model for shaping the ties between big and small nations.

"The development of relations between China and the Maldivians serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples as well as maintaining the regional peace, stability and prosperity," Li said.

During his visit, Li is scheduled to meet Maldivian leaders, including President Waheed and Speaker Shahid to exchange views on the bilateral relations and issues of common concern.

The Maldives is the second leg of Li's three-nation visit to South Asia. The trip already took him Pakistan.