China’s ancient history and philosophy have impressed former diplomat from the Maldives Mohamed Rasheed most and connections between China and the Maldives have contributed to rapid growth in tourism, people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
Rasheed, founder and chairman of the China-Maldivian Cultural Association, or CMCA, and a former ambassador of the Maldives to China, said the relationship with China and Chinese culture has become an inseparable part of his life.
Speaking highly of the bilateral ties, Rasheed said that “long-term friendly exchanges between China and the Maldives are imperative” and that this “should be a strategic relationship”, with Maldives respecting the one-China principle and China’s advocacy of multilateralism.
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s state visit to China at the beginning of this year was a good step in ties, he added that it is also important to devote more efforts to promoting people-to-people ties.
Rasheed said that what impressed him most about China was its ancient history and philosophy.
“I am really kind of in love with the philosophies of Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu and Confucius, and those are my favorite readings at this age,” he said. “The philosophies of China have cast a very strong impression on my life. It has taught me a lot to think about how to treat mankind and how to treat success and failure. I also see from them how we can treat all the people as a whole, as one society, one mankind.”
Rasheed noted that the Maldives established diplomatic relations with China in October 1972.
In 2009, China financed the largest housing project in the history of the Maldives, and the first commercial project undertaken by the Chinese in the country. Large infrastructure projects in the Maldives have been facilitated by Chinese investments, including the upgrading of Velana International Airport, and the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge.
“They are significant aspects of the cooperation between China and the Maldives,” Rasheed said.
The cooperation between the two countries reached new heights particularly after the Maldives joined the Belt and Road Initiative in 2014. “Since then, China has become Maldives’ largest development partner,” he said.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and Rasheed said that visionary leaders of the Communist Party of China have carried forward the great founding spirit during that time.
According to him, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping are fundamental elements for building a shared future for mankind.
“I believe those initiatives cannot be ignored by any community or country if we are to achieve global peace and stability,” Rasheed said, adding: “The youth of today should be mentored to internalize the noble values in those initiatives.”
Rasheed is currently dedicated to promoting China-Maldives relations through youth exchanges via the CMCA.
Rasheed was the first Maldivian diplomat to graduate from a Chinese university and the first person from the Maldives to study Chinese.
“In 1971 when I was 17 years old, I went to China’s Taiwan for my tertiary education,” Rasheed said. “I always wanted to learn a language that no other Maldivian has studied”, while also pursuing a professional course in rehabilitation medicine.
Rasheed made his first visit to Beijing in 1987 and has visited the Chinese mainland more than 80 times since then. “This year, I have spent more time in China than (in) the Maldives”, making seven visits in a year to date, he said, adding: “I cherish every day of my life that I spent in China.”
vivienxu@chinadailyapac.com