China is waiting for the day Maldivian fish can be sold in its market, as revealed by a message shared on X yesterday by the Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives, Wang Lixin. This is certainly enough evidence to show the country's interest in this endeavor.
Sharing a post made by the Fisheries Ministry on X on the occasion of International Tuna Day celebrated yesterday, the Ambassador wrote in her message that she hopes the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between the Maldives and China will be ratified soon, allowing Maldivian fish to easily enter the Chinese market.
Sharing the Ambassador's message, Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam stated that he is waiting for the day the 20th People's Majlis (Parliament) begins. It is presumed the Minister meant that the parliament has a role in implementing the FTA, and with the government's majority, he is hopeful that the parliament will facilitate the necessary steps to pave the way for exporting fish to China.
During former President Yameen's administration, the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries was signed on December 8, 2017, during his state visit to China. The agreement was signed by Mohamed Saeed, who was the Economic Minister during Yameen's government and holds the same position in the current administration. The then PPM-majority parliament approved the implementation of this agreement while the opposition MDP opposed it. Consequently, when the MDP government came to power, they halted the implementation of the agreement.
The upcoming 20th People's Majlis holds a super-majority for the current government. Therefore, there is now a guarantee that parliamentary approval will be secured to implement this agreement. It is also certain that this government will execute it, as President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu gave assurances regarding the agreement's implementation during his visit to China. Furthermore, the President has stated that priority will be given to exporting fish to China under this agreement.
Both the Maldives and China are now waiting for the day this agreement can be implemented.
