Male, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The arrival of senior Chinese official Li Changchun to celebrate the 40th anniversary of relations between China and the Maldives is a chance to push forward the already positive cooperation between the two countries, a diplomat said here on Thursday.
Chinese Ambassador in Male Yu Hongyao told Xinhua in an interview that Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, will soon be visiting the Maldives.
Yu said China-Maldives traditional friendship has a long history and considerable progress has been made since the two countries forged diplomatic relations 40 years ago.
Leaders of the two countries have in recent years made frequent exchanges of visits and reached consensus on many important issues, Yu said, adding that these important visits and contacts have helped deepen mutual understanding and trust between the two countries.
Both China and the Maldives, as developing countries, have to face new international situations and challenges, including climate change, environmental protection and disaster relief, among others. The two countries have maintained good cooperation and coordination in regional and international affairs.
China-Maldives relations have become a model that shows any countries, big or small, can treat each other as equals and enjoy peaceful coexistence, the ambassador said.
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