Supporters of Maldivian joint-opposition presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih celebrate on the street at the end of the presidential election day in Male, Sept. 24, 2018. (Photo: VCG)

China congratulates the Maldivian Democratic Party candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for his election as Maldives president in Monday’s vote, said Geng Shuang, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday.

Geng said that China respects the choice Maldives people make and wishes it stable and peaceful development, when asked to comment on the just-concluded presidential election at a press briefing on Tuesday.

China and Maldives have kept friendly relations for a long time. In recent years, the two nations benefited massively from mutual cooperation as part of the Belt and Road Initiative.

“China is willing to work together with Maldives to strengthen friendly relations and deepen mutual cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples,” said Geng.

(Compiled by Bai Yuanqi)