Muizzu Highlights China-Maldives Friendship Bridge as a Symbol of Strong Bilateral Ties

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has praised the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge as a powerful symbol of the enduring relationship and mutual trust between China and the Maldives. 

His remarks came in a post on X (formerly Twitter), marking the sixth anniversary of the bridge’s opening.

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Today, we proudly celebrate the 6th anniversary of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, inaugurated on 30th August 2018. This remarkable feat of engineering not only connects our islands but also symbolizes the enduring partnership and mutual trust between our two great nations.… pic.twitter.com/CVCszOFd1O— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) August 30, 2024

Muizzu, who served as Housing Minister during the bridge’s construction, highlighted that the structure not only facilitates transport between islands but also represents the deep bond between the two nations. 

He stated, “This remarkable feat of engineering not only connects our islands but also symbolizes the enduring partnership and mutual trust between our two great nations. The bridge continues to be a testament to our shared vision of progress, unity, and prosperity. May this bridge serve as a beacon of cooperation for generations to come.”

Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives, Wang Lixin, also commemorated the anniversary, noting that the bridge “has greatly promoted the social and economic development of the Maldives and brought transformative changes to its people’s lives. This vividly demonstrates how the Belt and Road Initiative and friendly cooperation with China benefit the people.”

The bridge, constructed during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen, connects Malé and Hulhumalé, easing transportation and facilitating the development of Hulhumalé.

Muizzu has also addressed allegations made by Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla. In an interview with Sangu TV, Abdulla claimed that former President Yameen had been irate over the bridge’s design and had yelled at then-Housing Minister Muizzu, leading him to tears. 

According to Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Yameen had expressed frustration over what he perceived as a missing lane in the bridge’s design during a meeting at the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) office, shortly before the bridge’s inauguration.

In response, Muizzu clarified that the SinaMale’ Bridge project, handed over to his ministry in late 2014, had undergone all necessary design phases without reducing the number of lanes. He explained that the bridge’s width was increased from 20 metres to 21 metres, but no other significant alterations were made. 

When Yameen requested a dedicated lane for motorcycles, Muizzu said it was too late for major changes as the bridge was nearing completion. Efforts to incorporate the request were unsuccessful due to the project’s advanced stage.

Muizzu recounted that Yameen had initially demanded the cancellation of the bridge’s opening if the lane could not be added. Despite the distress this caused him, Muizzu managed to persuade Yameen to proceed with the opening, highlighting the importance of maintaining strong relations with China.

Muizzu’s comments on the anniversary of the SinaMale’ Bridge reflect ongoing discussions about its legacy and the historical context of its construction.