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Speaker Nasheed's commentary sparks reaction from Chinese ambassador again

Ahmed Aiham
01 March 2020, MVT 12:46
Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed meets Chinese Ambassador to Maldives, Zhang Lizhong. PHOTO: PARLIAMENT
Ahmed Aiham
01 March 2020, MVT 12:46

Chinese Ambassador to Maldives, Zhang Lizhong on Saturday, countered Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed's commentary over the geopolitical standings within the Indian Ocean.

Chinese Ambassador Zhang Lizhong tweets regarding Speaker Nasheed's statements. PHOTO: TWITTER

The tweet defending China's stance, was made in response to Nasheed's remarks made at the India Ideas Conclave 2020. Speaking at the event, Nasheed compared India and China, accusing the latter superpower of treating Indian Ocean states differently.

"We do not see how India's actions have ever been a threat to the Maldives or any of its neighbours. India has always respected our sovereignty and always treated us as equals, however small we are", said the Speaker.

Heated exchanges have taken place between the Ambassador and Nasheed in the past as well. At its peak, Lizhong held Nasheed guilty of relaying "unsubstantial information" as well as "overstating" Maldives' debt to China.

On various occasions, Nasheed has accused China of setting debt traps in an effort to gain control of the South East Asian region. While several experts in the region believe this to be true, the Chinese government has consistently maintained its denial of the matter.

The two were most recently seen this February at the 'Coral Festival' hosted by the Maldives Coral Insititute, the discussions of which was chaired by its founder, Nasheed himself.

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