Milestones

Oct 14, 1972:

China and the Maldives establish diplomatic relations.

Oct 24-28, 1984:

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, then the president of the Maldives, pays a state visit to China. The two sides signed economic and technical cooperation agreements and a deal on visa exemptions.

Sept 11-13, 2006:

Gayoom makes a three-day state visit to China at the invitation of President Hu Jintao. The heads of state reached comprehensive understandings on consolidating friendship and cooperation.

Nov 8, 2011:

China establishes an embassy in Male, capital of the Maldives.

Aug 16, 2014:

Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom attends the opening ceremony of the second Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, and pays a state visit to China. The two sides pledge to enhance communication and cooperation on international and regional affairs to better cope with global challenges. Yameen expresses great interest in China's initiative to build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Xinhua