China vowed on Friday to boost friendly relations with the Maldives.

China and the Maldives have seen bilateral relations grow over the past 35 years since they forged diplomatic ties, Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong said in a meeting with Maldives Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed.

The two cooperate in various fields and China will continue to promote equal and mutually beneficial bilateral relations based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, Zeng noted.

Echoing Zeng's views on bilateral ties, Shaheed said the Maldives government would remain committed to friendly ties with China and adhere to the one China policy.

The Maldives will work with China to expand exchanges in various fields, Shaheed pledged.

(Xinhua News Agency July 7, 2007)