Maldives President begins 5-day China visit amid row with India
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed commenced their state visit to China on Sunday night, responding to an invitation extended by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
This visit occurs amid strained diplomatic relations with India, the Maldives' neighboring country and a significant contributor to its tourism industry.
The visit to China has sparked discussions, with some perceiving it as an effort to divert tourists away from the immensely popular Maldives, renowned for its 1,192 picturesque islands in the Indian Ocean adorned with luxurious resorts.
India and Russia are among the top countries sending the highest number of visitors to the Maldives. This chain of sun-soaked islands in the Indian Ocean is a hub for luxurious resorts, with tourism contributing to nearly one-third of the Maldives' economy, according to the World Bank.
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