Maldives wants to expand trade with China

Visiting Maldivian President Mohammed Waheed on Friday said in Colombo that his country needs to expand trade with giant China.

Addressing the media during his three day visit here in Colombo, Waheed said it was important to work with China, which has become a power giant in the world today.

"China is a powerful giant economically," said Waheed adding that country's main source of income, tourism has benefited from visitors from the Asia's fast-developing nation.

Waheed, Indian Ocean archipelago's first democratically elected vice president said that the country's economy has thrived attracting more foreign investments.

Waheed is on his first official visit to Sri Lanka. The Maldives has close economical, social and historical ties with the South Asian neighbor. Trade and investment promotion, legal assistance on criminal matters and high education training.

During his three day visit Waheed and his group of cabinet members signed three bilateral agreements with Sri Lanka, visited business community.