Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC), arrived in Male, capital of Maldives Sunday afternoon for an official good-will visit at the invitation of the government of the Maldives.

This is Li's first visit to the island country in the India Ocean and the Maldives is the second leg of his three-nation Asian tour, which will also take him to Japan. Li has just concluded a four-day visit to Sri Lanka.

Li was greeted at the airport by the Maldivian president's special envoy Abdulla Jameel and other senior government officials.

In a statement delivered upon arrival, Li spoke highly of the Sino-Maldivian friendship. Over the past 27 years since the two countries established diplomatic ties, he said, their friendly relations and cooperation have developed smoothly on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence and their traditional friendship has grown significantly.

Li believes his current visit will further strengthen the Sino-Maldivian friendship, enhance bilateral cooperation and bring a new stage of development for the two countries in all fields.

Li was seen off at Colombo's airport by Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and other cabinet ministers.