The Foreign Ministry has issued the a security alert to Chinese citizens who have plans to travel to the Maldives during the Spring Festival holiday.

Geng Shuang, spokesman for the ministry, said at Thursday's news conference that China's embassy to the Maldives announced a temporary warning on Monday, urging Chinese citizens not to travel to the country.

The Maldives has plunged into a political crisis following last week's Supreme Court ruling ordering the release of nine opposition leaders, including the self-exiled former president Mohamed Nasheed.