Countries share dream of new Silk Road for the 21st century

The renowned ancient Chinese navigator Zheng He's fleet visited the Maldives twice in the early 15th century, according to historical records. Ancient Chinese porcelain ware and coins, displayed in the Maldives' national museum in Male, bear witness to the trade via the ancient Maritime Silk Road between China and the Maldives.

Nearly 600 years later, with the introduction of the new vision of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, China and the Maldives are presented with a great opportunity to comprehensively deepen relations, expand cooperation and cement the connections between the two countries.

China's 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative, which President Xi Jinping brought up during a visit to Southeast Asia last year, has gained a positive response and much attention from the Maldives, China's ambassador to the Maldives, Wang Fukang, said in a recent interview.