Named the “China-Maldives Friendship Bridge” and estimated at $100-150
million, the project will transfer high levels of political and industrial
activity from Malé to other islands. Poor transport logistics are a daily
inconvenience for both residents and holidaymakers.
The bridge will also connect the government’s “Youth City” project with the
capital. Over 5,000 new homes have already been built with Chinese support, but
attracting residents off bustling Malé is difficult. Redefining Hulhumalé as a
driveable extension of Malé could turn the tables in its favor.
The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge has the power to unlock Malé’s economy,
and position China as a leading investor in Maldives’ transport and trade for
years to come.Chinese President Xi Jinping has stated that China will support China
Maldives Friendship bridge and other developmental projects of Maldives.
President Xi said that China would be extending a further RMB 600 million in grant oor inter-island transport has long stunted the Maldives’ socio-economic growth. With transport limited to weather dependent ferries, China has indicated that it will finance a six-lane bridge connecting Malé to the airport island Hulhulé, and by extension Hulhumalé.
Named the “China-Maldives Friendship Bridge” and estimated at $100-150
million, the project will transfer high levels of political and industrial
activity from Malé to other islands. Poor transport logistics are a daily
inconvenience for both residents and holidaymakers.
As the main financier of Hulhulé airport’s $845 million upgrade, China has
an interest in redefining Malé atoll as an efficient, navigable investment
space. A direct link between the airport and Malé aids this by improving access
to markets and services.
The six-lane bridge will also connect the government’s “Youth City” project
with the capital. Over 5,000 new homes have already been built with Chinese
support, but attracting residents off bustling Malé is difficult. Redefining
Hulhumalé as a driveable extension of Malé could turn the tables in its favor.
The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge has the power to unlock Malé’s economy,
and position China as a leading investor in Maldives’ transport and trade for
years to come. China will give positive consideration to supporting the construction of
Male-Hulhule Bridge, and proposes to name it as “China-Maldives Friendship
Bridge”. China will encourage more Chinese enterprises to actively engage in
the economic transformation of Maldives as well as in projects like Youth City
establishment, and continue to provide financing support to projects that the
two sides have agreed.
China will continue to provide assistance to the social and economic agreement
of Maldives as before. In order to help the Maldivian side to strengthen its
capacity to address the challenge of climate change, China will provide goods
assistance to the Maldives under the South-South cooperation framework, and
cooperate in areas of human resources training and technologies related to
energy saving and environment conservation Our two sides will continue to
expand our cooperation in tourism, human resources, and culture.
China will
continue to facilitate the Maldives to expand the Chinese tourism market, support
Chinese enterprises to invest in tourism industries of Maldives, and encourage
more Chinese tourists to visit Maldives. China will also carry out cooperation
in civil servants training and help Maldivian citizens to learn Chinese.