26 December 2012, Male';On the occasion ofthe 40th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the Republic of Maldives and People's Republic of China, a reception was the held at Traders Hotel on 26 December 2012. The reception was hosted jointly by Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr Abdul Samad Abdulla and H.E Mr. Yu Hongyao Ambassador of the People's Republic of China.
The Guest-of-Honour at the reception was by H.E. Dr. Mohamed Waheed President of the Republic of Maldives, and attended by several Cabinet Ministers and other dignitaries.
H.E Mr. Hassan Saeed Hussain, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs delivered a welcome address which was followed by remarks from H.E Yu Hongyao, The Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Maldives. Following this, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Waheed, President of the Republic of Maldives addressed the gathering.
In his remarks, the President stated that "the traditional bonds of friendship and cooperation that we have enjoyed over the past four decades will continue to grow and expand in the years to come and Maldives has always looked upon China as an invaluable friend whose contribution to the social, cultural and economic development of Maldives is immense".
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Waheed President of the Republic of Maldives and H.E Mr. Yu Hongyao Ambassador of the People's Republic of China unveiled the commemorative stamps released on the occasion. A cultural event was also presented by the Maldives-China Friendship Association.
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