For the Maldives, China has always been more than a friend, and their ties are "written not only in agreements and exchanges, but in memories, in shared journeys, and in the trust that comes along with genuine friendship, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu told a celebratory event earlier.

In his speech, Muizzu also praised China's commitment to multilateralism, its efforts to safeguard the rights of developing countries, and its endeavors to build a world of mutual benefit between countries, big and small.

On Sept 30, he and his wife Sajidha Mohamed, Vice-President Hussain Mohamed Latheef and several cabinet ministers attended a reception held by the Chinese Embassy in the Maldives to celebrate the 76th National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Hundreds of people including Maldivian cabinet ministers, lawmakers, representatives from various sectors, diplomatic envoys in the Maldives, as well as representatives of Chinese enterprises and overseas Chinese, participated in the festival events in Male.

Addressing the gathering in the embassy, Muizzu extended National Day greetings to the Chinese leadership and the Chinese people, and described China as one of the most dynamic and influential countries in the world today. It has made remarkable achievements in poverty reduction, science and technology, and infrastructure development, he said.

"May the friendship between the Maldives and China remain as constant as the ocean that unites us and as enduring as the stars that guide us," Muizzu said, expressing the Maldives' readiness to cooperation with China in the areas of politics, trade, culture and education and other fields, so as to jointly build a sustainable and prosperous future.

In the speech at the event, Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives Kong Xianhua reviewed China's development achievements and the results of China-Maldives cooperation during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

Kong expressed his commitment to earnestly implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state, supporting the Maldives in safeguarding its sovereignty and independence, and facilitating its economic and social development. China is willing to work with the Maldives to build a more just and equitable global governance system, he added.

"The documented history of friendly exchanges between China and the Maldives spans over 600 years, which explains why our friendship has reached such a high level in just 53 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations," said Kong.

China-Maldives relations now unveil a brand new chapter, the ambassador added.

Kong said that, under the strong leadership of President Muizzu, the Maldives is committed to promoting diversified and sustainable economic development, improving people's lives, and playing a leading role on multilateral platforms in addressing issues such as climate change that concern small island countries.

"China highly appreciates these efforts. We will, as always, support the independence and autonomy of the Maldives, help the Maldives to?pursue?a development path that suits your?national priorities, and play a more active role?in global governance," he added.

Kong was glad to announce that debt relief arrangements between concerned parties of the two sides have been fully finalized. These arrangements manifest not only the Chinese government's strong support for the fiscal and financial stability of the Maldives but also its confidence in the reforms undertaken by the Maldivian government and the great potential of Maldivian economy.

All three major projects fully financed by China grant aid: the China-Maldives Friendship Hospital, Road Redevelopment in Male and Vilimale, and 50 Island Council?Buildings, have made significant progress?and will enter the construction phase one by one in the near future.

China is willing to work together with the Maldives?and all the international community, to?promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive globalization, the ambassador noted.

Xinhua contributed to the story.