China and the Maldives have stepped up cooperation across a wide range of areas following a meeting between State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid in the Maldives capital, Male, on Saturday.

During their talks, the two foreign ministers agreed to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation and communication, jointly uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, oppose interference in the domestic affairs of other countries and safeguard international fairness and justice.

They witnessed the signing of a number of agreements on bilateral cooperation including the right to visit each other’s countries without first obtaining a visa. Under the agreement, Chinese and Maldivian citizens will be entitled to a 30-day visa upon arrival in the other country. The Maldives is a very popular tourist destination for Chinese people.

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