Maldives and China Sign Agreement to Launch Road Development Project in Malé and Villimalé

The Maldives and China have signed a Letter of Exchange (LoE) to begin the design phase of a road development project in Malé and Villimalé, to be implemented with Chinese assistance.

The LoE was signed by the Minister of Housing, Dr Abdullah Muththalib, on behalf of the Maldives, and by Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives, Kong Xianhua, on behalf of China.

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Letter of Exchange was signed today between the Government of the Republic of Maldives and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the implementation of the China-aided Redevelopment of Malé and Villimalé Roads Project.

The Letter of Exchange was signed by, the… pic.twitter.com/DDctHPHSiT— Ministry of Construction, Housing & Infrastructure (@MoCImv) October 23, 2025

The road development initiative is part of the agreements reached during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to China and forms part of the USD 130 million grant aid pledged by the Chinese government. Both governments have previously indicated that a substantial portion of this grant will be allocated to road construction in Malé and Villimalé.

An earlier LoE covering the feasibility study for the project was signed with China in July of last year, laying the groundwork for the current design phase.

The project aims to improve connectivity and infrastructure in the capital and its nearby island, reflecting the continued collaboration between the Maldives and China on development initiatives.