Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang to discuss increasing Chinese tourists' numbers and implementing various projects committed by Beijing. After signing 20 agreements with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Muizzu focused on enhancing cooperation in e-commerce, Male's development plan, airport expansion, and tourism. Facing a diplomatic row with India due to derogatory remarks by his ministers, Muizzu urged China to boost tourism amid reported cancellations by Indian tourists. Chinese analysts see the Maldives as strategically important for expanding China's influence in the Indian Ocean, emphasizing the country's geopolitical significance
