China has offered to train maritime personnel in the Maldives as well as boost its involvement in infrastructure projects in the island nation, as Beijing moves forward with plans to deepen its economic links with the region through its new “maritime silk road” initiative.
China’s envoy to the Maldives, Wang Fukang, told State media that China was “willing to train maritime personnel” and expand maritime cooperation.
Beijing was also keen to invest in infrastructure projects in the Maldives, he said, with the current government under President Abdulla Yameen “trying to diversify” its economy and attract foreign investments from countries including China.
China could consider investing in five mega projects that the Maldives government has offered up for foreign investment, including special economic zones, the Male International Airport – a project initially awarded to India’s GMR before the contract was later terminated – the expansion of the Male harbour and oil exploration.
China’s relations with Maldives — which has traditionally enjoyed close and dependent links with India — have taken on prominence with the new Chinese leadership last year unveiling plans to build a “maritime silk road” to link Indian Ocean littoral countries and Southeast Asia and deepen China’s economic presence in the region.
India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and a number of ASEAN countries have been sounded out about the initiative, although Beijing has, as yet, released little specific information about the plan.
Chinese State media reports have suggested the initiative will involve taking forward Chinese investments in ports and maritime-related infrastructure in littoral countries, as well as proposals to build Special Economic Zones in port cities to drive trade.
Mr. Wang, the Chinese envoy to the Maldives, told the official Xinhua news agency in an interview published on Tuesday that Beijing was willing to train maritime personnel and also strengthen cooperation on marine research, fisheries and other areas of maritime cooperation.
“Since the Maldives is located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, it is an ideal hub for trade between East and the West and that every year a large number of cargo ships pass through the Maldivian territorial waters,” Xinhua quoted him as saying.
Mr. Wang pointed out the increasing importance of China to the Maldivian economy, especially tourism. In 2010, China became the biggest source of tourist arrivals, while more than 3.3 lakh Chinese tourists visited Maldives last year.
