China and the Maldives have agreed to continue developing their bilateral ties on the basis of the existing friendly and cooperative relationship.

The agreement was reached in Male Monday when China's top consultant Li Ruihuan met with Speaker Abdullah Hameed of the Maldivian People's Majlis in the parliament building Monday morning.

Li, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), is paying an official visit to the Maldives at the invitation of the Maldive government.

Though China and the Maldives are different in historical background, cultural tradition and social systems. Their relationship has been good. Particularly since the two countries were diplomatically linked, their bilateral relations have been consolidated and strengthened, Li said.

The Chinese government highly appreciates the Maldivian government's consistent following of the "one China" policy and sincerely thanked the Maldivian side for its efforts to stand the pressure from the outside on the Taiwan issue, Li stressed.

"My current visit here is for developing friendship and for advancing cooperation," Li noted.

Li also briefed the speaker on the function of the CPPCC. Hameed shared Li's comments on the bilateral relations between the two countries. The Maldives, including the Majlis, all wished to further develop the relations with China. And the Majlis is also willing to strengthen exchanges and links with CPPCC for world peace and development.