Maldivian President Maumoon AbdulGayoom said on Sunday that China is the best friend of the Maldives and he appreciates China's long-term support and aid to his country.

 

He made the remarks during his talks with the Chinese delegation led by He Yong, member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), according to reports reaching Colombo from the Maldivian capital of Male.

 

Gayoom also expressed appreciation for China's long-term support to the Maldives in defending its sovereignty and independence.

 

He Yong, who is also the Deputy Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC, said that the CPC and the Chinese government always attach great importance to the relations between China and the Maldives.

 

The relations between China and the Maldives have developed smoothly in more than three decades after the establishment of diplomatic relations, he said, adding that the cooperation between the two countries in various aspects is becoming increasingly closer.

 

At the invitation of the Maldivian government, He Yong and the CPC delegation arrived Male Saturday to make their two-day visit to the Indian Ocean archipelago.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2006)