Wang Yi to visit Maldives, Sri Lanka in Indian Ocean outreach

Mr. Wang’s visit to Maldives, meanwhile, coincides with a heightening “India out” campaign being mounted by the political opposition

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will begin the new year visiting five littoral countries in the Indian Ocean Region including Maldives and Sri Lanka, underlining China’s growing economic and security stakes in the neighbourhood.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday Mr. Wang would on January 4 begin his five-nation trip in eastern Africa, visiting Eritrea and Kenya, before travelling to the island nation of Comoros, followed by Maldives and Sri Lanka.

“The upcoming visit to the three countries in Africa is keeping up the Chinese foreign ministers’ 32-year tradition of choosing Africa for their first overseas visit every year,” spokesperson Zhao Lijian said, adding that the visit to Maldives and Sri Lanka “comes at the 50th anniversary of China-Maldives diplomatic relations, the 65th anniversary of China-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations, and the 70th anniversary of the Rubber-Rice Pact” between China and Sri Lanka.