President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to further strengthen the Maldives’ relationship with China as the Sinamale' Bridge, completed during his tenure as housing minister, marked its eighth anniversary today.
The Sinamale' Bridge was inaugurated on 30 August 2018 and has transformed the lives of people living in Male' area, easing transport between Male', Hulhule' and Hulhumale'. Hundreds of people use the 1.4km bridge each day.
In a post marking the anniversary, President Muizzu described the bridge as a symbol of the friendship between the Maldives and China.
“More than infrastructure, it represents the trust, solidarity and shared aspirations that bind the Maldives and China together,” President Muizzu said.
He said bilateral relations had strengthened and new opportunities had emerged under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
President Muizzu said he would continue working to strengthen relations between the two countries.
The president visited the Sinamale' Bridge area this morning to mark the anniversary, accompanied by Housing and Infrastructure Minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib and Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives Kong Xianhua.
The Sinamale' bridge is the Maldives’ largest infrastructure project built with Chinese assistance and cost about USD 200 million. China provided USD 116million in grants and a USD72 million loan, while the Maldivian government spent USD12 million.
The bridge has been maintained by Chinese company CCCC since it opened. The maintenance is provided at no cost to the Maldivian government.
