Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom met with visiting Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on Sunday and expressed his thanks for the assistance China has offered as tsunami relief efforts.  

Gayoom thanked the Chinese government and the Chinese people for having provided timely assistance for the Maldives after the tsunami.

"It shows the true feelings between the two peoples for the Chinese leadership to send the foreign minister to visit our country in the high time of after-tsunami rebuilding," said Gayoom.

The president said the Maldives hopes to strengthen its cooperation with China in such areas as political affairs, economy, trade, personnel and tourism.

Gayoom said his country firmly supports the one-China policy and appreciates China's massive progress in human rights and other areas.

"We hope your country will be more prosperous," said the president.

On behalf of the Cheese government and the Chinese people, Li once again expressed deep sympathy and sincere solicitude to President Gayoom, the Maldivian government and the Maldivian people for their losses during the tsunami.

Li said he is delighted to see the good progress made by the Maldives in its rebuilding effort, adding that the Chinese government is willing to continue to participate in the rebuilding process.

Li said the two countries' relations, based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, have made smooth progress since the establishment of their diplomatic relations.

The Chinese foreign minister expressed appreciation for the Maldives' support on the issues of Taiwan and human rights, adding that China hopes to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Li held talks with Maldivian acting Foreign Minister Ahmed Abdulla on Saturday, with both sides vowing to strengthen friendly relations of the two countries.

Li and his nine-member delegation arrived in Male on Friday at the invitation of Ahmed Abdulla.

During his visit, Li also visited the Maldives' National Disaster Management Center, which was established immediately after the tsunami to coordinate the country's rescue and relief efforts.

Li left Male Sunday afternoon for the Afghan capital of Kabul to attend the Afghanistan Development Forum.

(Xinhua News Agency April 4, 2005)