Chinese Language and Skills Center Launched in Maldives

The Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills was officially inaugurated on November 25, 2024, at the China Harbour Engineering Company. The ceremony, attended by notable figures including Hu Zhiping, Deputy Director of the Center for Language Education, and He Fen, Minister-Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Maldives, highlights the deepening ties between the two nations.

The center's establishment stems from a tripartite agreement signed during the 2024 World Chinese Language Conference in Beijing on November 16. The agreement, forged between the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation, China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd, and Shanxi Conservancy Technical Institute, reflects the growing collaboration between China and the Maldives in education and professional development.

This initiative was a key diplomatic outcome of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's state visit to China in January 2024. During the visit, the two nations signed the Action Plan for Building a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2024–2028), which prioritizes cultural exchanges, language education, and professional training. The partnership signifies enhanced cooperation in political trust, economic growth, and cultural initiatives under the Belt and Road Initiative.

The new center will offer more than language instruction. It aims to provide professional skills training in fields such as engineering, environmental science, and logistics. Professors from Shanxi Conservancy Technical Institute and qualified Chinese language educators will support the center's academic and skill-based programs. Additionally, the center will host the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK), awarding certificates to successful candidates.

With the inauguration of this center, China and the Maldives reaffirm their commitment to a strengthened, comprehensive partnership, fostering cultural understanding and technical proficiency among learners in the Maldives.