Gov’t Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthen Safety for Chinese Tourists in the Maldives
Government reaffirms commitment to reforms ensuring safety and well-being of Chinese visitors | Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affair
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing concrete reforms to safeguard the safety and well-being of Chinese citizens visiting the Maldives.
Seventh Meeting of the Joint Meeting Mechanism to Deal with the Issue of Safety of Chinese Tourists in the Maldives
📃 Press Release | https://t.co/gyDAIFDSn1 pic.twitter.com/KT0asBE2Fu— Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇲🇻 (@MoFAmv) December 17, 2025advertisement
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This commitment was highlighted during the Seventh Meeting of the “Joint Meeting Mechanism to Deal with the Issue of Safety of Chinese Tourists in the Maldives,” co-chaired by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sheryna Abdul Samad, the Ambassador of China to the Maldives, Kong Xianhua, and the Minister of State for Tourism and Environment, Dr Abdulla Niyaz.
State Minister Sheryna Abdul Samad emphasised the strong and longstanding partnership between the Maldives and China, noting that tourism remains a central pillar of bilateral cooperation. She highlighted that China continues to be the Maldives’ largest source market for tourism, with over 320,000 Chinese visitors recorded so far this year, reflecting a high level of trust in the country as a tourist destination.
The Minister stressed the urgent need for stronger preventive measures, rigorous enforcement of safety standards, and enhanced coordination across government agencies and the tourism industry, particularly concerning water-based activities. She called for transforming the Joint Meeting Mechanism into a results-oriented platform guided by accountability, clearly defined responsibilities, and time-bound actions.
State Minister Sheryna also underlined the shared responsibility of government authorities, tourism operators, and Chinese partners in ensuring safety. She highlighted the importance of coordinated regulation, inspections, traveller awareness, and adequate insurance coverage, reaffirming the government’s dedication to reforms that protect Chinese tourists.
Looking ahead, the Maldives is planning a Ministerial-level forum on tourism cooperation next year in collaboration with the Embassy of China and the Ministry of Tourism. The forum will focus on enhancing safety and security, as well as promoting broader investment and tourism opportunities.
Ambassador Kong Xianhua expressed gratitude to the Maldives government for its consistent cooperation and efforts to protect Chinese visitors.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to implementing actionable strategies, raising safety awareness, and fostering a secure and welcoming environment for Chinese tourists.
The Joint Meeting Mechanism, established in 2014, serves as an annual bilateral platform to bring together key tourism stakeholders. Its purpose is to monitor the implementation of safety protocols, improve inter-agency coordination, and identify and address policy gaps to enhance the protection of Chinese visitors.
