In China, Maldivian President Muizzu calls Beijing a valued ally

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who arrived in China on his first state visit, Monday praised Beijing as a "valued ally and integral collaborator" of the Indian Ocean island nation and hailed the cooperation between the two countries. Muizzu's maiden visit to China has been marred by a diplomatic row with India, triggered by the derogatory remarks against PM Narendra Modi by some Maldivian ministers. Muizzu, who is regarded as "pro-China", met provincial officials in Fujian on the first day of his five-day visit.