Chinese province offers useful lessons for Maldivian island Fuvahmulah, says mayor

MALE, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- China's experience in sustainable infrastructure, agriculture, environmental protection and urban planning offers useful lessons for island communities such as Fuvahmulah, Ismail Rafeeq, mayor of Fuvahmulah City in the Maldives, has said.

Rafeeq visited Suzhou, Yancheng and Nanjing in east China's Jiangsu Province from June 24 to 27 as part of a delegation of Maldivian local government leaders.

Fuvahmulah, the Maldives' third-largest island, is an important city in the south of the country. The elongated island has no surrounding lagoon and is directly surrounded by the deep ocean.

Given these geographical conditions, Rafeeq said he paid particular attention during the visit to desalination and renewable energy technologies.

In Yancheng, the delegation visited a new-energy desalination company and learned about desalination and renewable energy technologies. "Sustainable water and energy solutions remain important development priorities for island communities," Rafeeq said.

He said Yancheng's experience could offer practical references for Fuvahmulah as it seeks more reliable and sustainable ways to meet its water and energy needs.

He also highlighted the importance of wetland protection, saying Fuvahmulah needs to balance the conservation of its distinctive natural environment with urban and economic development.

In Nanjing, the delegation visited the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences and learned about agricultural research, technology and innovation.

Fuvahmulah has fertile soil and produces fruits and crops including mangoes, papayas, bananas, citrus fruits, watermelons and sweet potatoes. Rafeeq said cooperation in agricultural research and technology could help improve productivity, strengthen food security and promote sustainable agriculture.

In Suzhou, Rafeeq was impressed by efforts to combine vocational education with traditional arts, crafts and heritage conservation.

He said such an approach could create employment opportunities for young people while preserving traditional knowledge and developing authentic local tourism.

Suzhou's urban planning practices also demonstrated the importance of long-term planning and clearly communicating development plans to the public, he added.

"The visit showed that sustainable development requires cooperation among local governments, educational institutions, researchers, businesses and communities," Rafeeq said.

He said the experience gained in Jiangsu Province could help Fuvahmulah improve its water and energy infrastructure, agriculture, environmental management, urban planning and tourism development.