Beijing, Feb 6: China on Monday said it is "closely" following the developments in
the Maldives, and asked its citizens not to visit the Indian Ocean
archipelago until normalcy returns to the country.
China has also asked authorities in Male to take necessary
measures to earnestly protect the "security of the Chinese enterprises and
their personnel”, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said.
Last month Maldives became the second South Asian country after Pakistan to sign a Free Trade Area agreement with China.
The Maldives has been on the boil after the island nation's Supreme Court on February 1 ordered the release of all opponents of President Abdulla Yameen and Parliament is set to impeach him. On Sunday, the attorney-general warned that the government would resist any attempt to impeach the president.
In power since 2013 and facing elections in October, Yameen is under international pressure to heed the court decision, while hundreds of protesters have taken to the country’s streets to demand compliance with the order.
The Maldives has been a tropical paradise for Chinese holidaymakers and the travel advisory came ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday season beginning February 15.
"The spring festival is the peak season for Chinese citizens to go to the Maldives for tourism. In light of the relevant situation, we advise the Chinese tourists in the Maldives to follow closely the situation and be aware," said the spokesman.
"At the same time, we advise the people who go to the Maldives not to travel to the Maldives before the situation gets normal."
Earlier on Friday, the Chinese embassy in the Maldives had issued a warning telling Chinese citizens to be cautious when traveling to the country, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Geng said that China supported the resolution of differences between all relevant sides in the Maldives through dialogue.
"China is closely following the situation in the Maldives and we support the relevant parties in the Maldives to properly settle their disagreements through dialogue and consultation and maintain the national stability and social order." UNI
Last month Maldives became the second South Asian country after Pakistan to sign a Free Trade Area agreement with China.
The Maldives has been on the boil after the island nation's Supreme Court on February 1 ordered the release of all opponents of President Abdulla Yameen and Parliament is set to impeach him. On Sunday, the attorney-general warned that the government would resist any attempt to impeach the president.
In power since 2013 and facing elections in October, Yameen is under international pressure to heed the court decision, while hundreds of protesters have taken to the country’s streets to demand compliance with the order.
The Maldives has been a tropical paradise for Chinese holidaymakers and the travel advisory came ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday season beginning February 15.
"The spring festival is the peak season for Chinese citizens to go to the Maldives for tourism. In light of the relevant situation, we advise the Chinese tourists in the Maldives to follow closely the situation and be aware," said the spokesman.
"At the same time, we advise the people who go to the Maldives not to travel to the Maldives before the situation gets normal."
Earlier on Friday, the Chinese embassy in the Maldives had issued a warning telling Chinese citizens to be cautious when traveling to the country, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Geng said that China supported the resolution of differences between all relevant sides in the Maldives through dialogue.
"China is closely following the situation in the Maldives and we support the relevant parties in the Maldives to properly settle their disagreements through dialogue and consultation and maintain the national stability and social order." UNI
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