The Maldives and China have officially signed an agreement in Beijing for the development of 500 additional social housing units in the capital city, Malé. This critical project is funded entirely through an interest-free grant provided by the Chinese government, representing a significant boost to the Maldives’ social infrastructure.

The agreement was finalized following the ‘Third High-Level Conference on Global Action for Shared Development’ held in Beijing from April 21 to 22, 2026. During the summit, delegates from both nations engaged in extensive discussions, culminating in the signing of the meeting minutes to formalize the initiative on the sidelines of the conference.

Representing the Maldivian government, State Minister for Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Development Ibrahim Toam Mohamed signed the documents. Liu Junfeng, Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), signed on behalf of the People’s Republic of China. The Ministry confirmed that the project carries no financial burden for the state, as it is being executed as a non-repayable grant.

Furthermore, both parties reviewed the progress of existing infrastructure projects currently supported by China in the Maldives. Both governments reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring these developments proceed without delays and meet their scheduled completion dates to benefit the Maldivian public.