After the Maldives’ pro-China ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) won a decisive majority in parliamentary elections, Beijing said it fully respected the choice made by the Maldivian people and aimed to further deepen China’s strategic partnership with the archipelago nation.
President Mohamed Muizzu’s party secured a super-majority in parliament by winning over 60 seats in what is seen as an endorsement of his foreign policy, which has been marked by a pro-China tilt and a shift away from the previous govt’s India First policy.
The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson congratulated the Maldives on the successful elections, saying it fully respects the choice of the Maldivian people. “China stands ready to work with the Maldives to carry forward traditional friendship, expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields, deepen China-Maldives comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and speed up the building of a China-Maldives community with a shared future to deliver greater benefits to our two peoples.”
Muizzu’s govt had denied that the election agenda was dominated by geopolitical rivalry but the fact that he will now have a pro-govt parliament is seen as a boost also for China, which became the Maldives’ partner of choice after the pro-China politician took over as prez last year by defeating his pro-India predecessor. The PNC won a record 68 seats in People’s Majlis, while the pro-India MDP, which won 65 seats in 2019, suffered a humiliating loss as it was restricted to only 10 seats.
President Mohamed Muizzu’s party secured a super-majority in parliament by winning over 60 seats in what is seen as an endorsement of his foreign policy, which has been marked by a pro-China tilt and a shift away from the previous govt’s India First policy.
The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson congratulated the Maldives on the successful elections, saying it fully respects the choice of the Maldivian people. “China stands ready to work with the Maldives to carry forward traditional friendship, expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields, deepen China-Maldives comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and speed up the building of a China-Maldives community with a shared future to deliver greater benefits to our two peoples.”
Muizzu’s govt had denied that the election agenda was dominated by geopolitical rivalry but the fact that he will now have a pro-govt parliament is seen as a boost also for China, which became the Maldives’ partner of choice after the pro-China politician took over as prez last year by defeating his pro-India predecessor. The PNC won a record 68 seats in People’s Majlis, while the pro-India MDP, which won 65 seats in 2019, suffered a humiliating loss as it was restricted to only 10 seats.