Relationship dossier
People's Republic of China
Maldives
Relationship assessment
A substantial partnership built around infrastructure, trade and strategic cooperation, with changing emphasis across Maldivian administrations.
People's Republic of China toward Maldives
+65China has supported major Maldivian infrastructure, including the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, and has pursued trade and strategic cooperation with Malé. During President Mohamed Muizzu's 2024 visit to China, the governments announced a strategic partnership and signed multiple cooperation agreements.
Maldives toward People's Republic of China
+60Maldivian governments have pursued economic and strategic cooperation with China. The Maldives signed a bilateral free trade agreement with China in 2017, and President Mohamed Muizzu's 2024 visit produced a strategic partnership and multiple cooperation agreements.
Overall relationship
+55The relationship is characterized by concrete infrastructure, trade and strategic cooperation, including Chinese-backed projects and a bilateral free trade agreement. Its depth is notable, but Maldivian governments have differed in their external-policy emphasis, and the implementation and financial consequences of cooperation remain uncertain.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
China and the Maldives have developed a substantial partnership through Chinese-backed infrastructure, a bilateral free trade agreement, and strategic cooperation. The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge and other infrastructure projects are prominent examples. The relationship has also shifted in emphasis across Maldivian administrations, and the scope and implementation of recent agreements remain unclear.
Key developments
China-Maldives Friendship Bridge opened, providing a major Chinese-backed infrastructure connection in Malé.
China and the Maldives signed a bilateral free trade agreement.
During Mohamed Muizzu's visit to China, the governments announced a strategic partnership and signed multiple cooperation agreements.
Major uncertainties
- The implementation and practical scope of agreements announced during the 2024 visit are unclear.
- The long-term financial terms and effects of major infrastructure cooperation are uncertain.