China and the Maldives upgraded their relationship on Jan 10 during newly elected President Mohamed Muizzu’s first state visit to Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping, speaking at the Great Hall of the People, called Muizzu “an old friend”. Xi established a “comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership,” signalling increased investment in the Indian Ocean archipelagoXi said, “China and the Maldives’ relations are facing a historic opportunity to carry forward the past and forge ahead into the future,” state media reported.