Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing arrived in Male Friday afternoon on an official visit to the Maldives at the invitation of Maldivian acting Foreign Minister Ahmed Abdulla.

Speaking at the Male International Airport, Li told Maldivian Finance Minister Mohammed Jaleel and Deputy Foreign Minister Hussain Shihab who came to greet him that he felt very sorry for the loss suffered by the Maldives during last December's tsunami.

Jaleel thanked the Chinese government for its timely help after the tsunami.

Li is scheduled to hold talks with Ahmed Abdulla on Saturday and meet with Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on Sunday.

(Xinhua News Agency April 2, 2005)