BEIJING, July 23 -- China appreciated Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid's remarks on bilateral relations and Belt and Road cooperation, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.

China-Maldives relations based on equality and mutual benefit set an example of exchanges between small and big countries in the international community, Shahid said in an interview with Xinhua.

Shahid said that China has always been an important partner for the development of the Maldives, reiterating that the Maldives is a close partner and supporter of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The minister noted that Maldivian people have benefited from the initiative and the Maldives is appreciative of the key development projects including the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge and the second runway of Velana International Airport.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying expressed the appreciation at a press briefing, saying that China is willing to work with the Maldivian side to promote the development of bilateral ties.