Maldives President Mohammad Nasheed met a delegation of the Communist Party of China on September 5. The deliberations focused on improving bilateral ties between the two countries as well as on promoting closer ties between the political parties of both countries (MDP and CPC) on issues of mutual interest. Mr. Nasheed reiterated his country’s support for the One–China policy1.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed urged US Secretary of State Clinton to include Maldives in the US Preferential Trade Scheme. The United States had suspended Maldives from the General System of Preferences in 1995, on account of its human rights record2.

• 1. “Maldivian president meets Zhang Gaoli,” China View, September 6, 2009, at http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-09/06/content_12006402.htm
• 2. “US to reassess Maldives for preferential trade,” Minivan News, September 1, 2009, at http://www.minivannews.com/news_detail.php?id=7192