MALE, 17 July 2021, (TON): President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and China’s President Xi Jinping has discussed mutual areas of interest over a telephone call.

Following the call, President Solih noted that the conversation would provide further momentum and guidance to the ongoing substantive corporation between both countries.

Maldives and China will mark 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries next year.

During the call, President Solih congratulated President Xi and the Communist Party of China (CPC) on the CPC's centenary on July 1 – noting that CPC has evolved into a voice for equality, prosperity and increased international cooperation under the leadership of President Xi.

President Xi also congratulated the recent election of Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid as the 76th President of the United Nations General Assembly.