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."