China compiles list of Maldives’ needs over COVID-19 pandemic

The Chinese government, on Monday, announced that they have taken note of the various requirements of the Maldives government in connection to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

The offer of Chinese aid to the Maldives was confirmed in a tweet made by China’s Ambassador to the Maldives Zhang Lizhong following a meeting on Sunday between the former and Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid.

“I am sure this is just a beginning and only part of more co-op”, read Lizhong’s comment on the retweet.

China’s move to acknowledge Maldives’ situation at this time follows queries directed to the Ambassador on social media platforms, largely from opposition factions, alleging that China’s offer of aid to the Maldives was rejected in favour of India.

However, Ambassador Lizhong immediately quelled the rumours, stating a definite “no” to direct questions posed by local social media users.

Main opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)'s Vice President and Naifaru MP Ahmed Shiyam claimed in an earlier tweet that the Maldivian government had rejected China’s offer to send general physicians, respiratory specialist doctors and medical supplies, to deal with the public health emergency.

The MP also demanded that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih answer for the refusal of much-needed equipment and expertise to better manage the situation.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 late December, the prevalence of the disease in China climaxed in early February. However, the number of new cases have since dropped significantly, while deaths have dropped. Overall, the recovery outcome is greater than mortality rates.

Maldives has confirmed 13 cases of foreign nationals infected with the virus, however, thus far no Maldivians are known to have contracted the disease.

Globally, the novel coronavirus has infected more than 169,000 and claimed over 6,500 lives around the world. Out of those infected, more than 77,000 have recovered.