China highly values the Maldivian president's outstanding contribution to the continuous development of the friendly ties between the two countries and the continuous deepening of their traditional friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks Tuesday morning when he met with Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Li is on an official visit in Male at the invitation of the Maldivian government.

China thanked President Gayoom and his government for their consistent pursuance of the "one China" policy and their support without any reserve of China on such important issues as human rights and Tibet.

President Gayoom welcomed Li to the Maldives, saying Li is one of China's top leaders and his current visit is clearly a demonstration that China gives great importance to advancing its relations with the Maldives.

When briefing the President on China's domestic political and economic situation, Li recalled the president's China trip 15 years ago. During that trip, Deng Xiaoping, chief architect of China's reform and opening up to the outside world, met with President Gayoom and told him that seeking truth from facts is why China has scored globally acknowledged achievements. Facts in the past have shown that the principle of "seeking truth from facts is our treasure to get over all difficulties and score victories as well as our orientation of efforts and an important subject China still needs to tackle," Li noted. He stressed that "whenever the principle is adhered to, we'll make progress but suffer setbacks when it is not followed."

What Deng Xiaoping said during that meeting and the name of President Gayoom were included in the "Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping" and became popular among almost all the Chinese people. President Gayoom felt proud about that and said Deng Xiaoping's remarks provided him with great enlightenment.

President Gayoom thanked the Chinese government for its selfless aid and help to the Maldives in all fields and hoped that the bilateral relations will continue to advance.

Li left Maldives for Japan on the evening of December 7, which is the second leg of his three nations tour..