Cheng Kai, chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF), met with Mohamed Hashim, minister of State for the Ministry of Social and Family Development of the Maldives, and Ibrahim Amir, minister of State for Sports, Fitness and Recreation of the Maldives, in Beijing on July 8.
Cheng Kai, chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF), meets with Mohamed Hashim, minister of State for the Ministry of Social and Family Development of the Maldives, and Ibrahim Amir, minister of State for Sports, Fitness and Recreation of the Maldives, in Beijing on July 8. [Photo/cdpf.org.cn]
During the meeting, Cheng introduced the progress made by China in disability affairs and emphasized the growing friendship and strengthened relations between China and the Maldives in recent years. The meeting is a concrete step in implementing the Action Plan between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Maldives for Building a China-Maldives Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership (2024-2028), and in support of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Cheng noted.
Cheng said the CDPF is ready to work with the Maldivian side to carry out practical cooperation projects and jointly promote the well-being of persons with disabilities in both countries.
Hashim spoke highly of China's progress in the field of disability affairs, saying it set a good example for other countries. He expressed a keen interest in working with China in areas such as disability data collection, integrated services, rehabilitation, employment and sports, and the hope to draw on China's experience to promote the development of disability affairs in the Maldives.
In January 2024, the two countries signed the Action Plan between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Maldives for Building a China-Maldives Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership (2024-2028), which explicitly calls for practical cooperation in areas such as disability rehabilitation, employment, and sports, including personnel training and technical exchanges, to enhance the well-being of persons with disabilities and promote inclusive development.