2024-04-04 19:56:11
Male: China’s activism has increased with Mohammed Muizzu coming to power in Maldives. China is trying to establish a naval base and a radar station in Maldives. For this, China had also taken an island on a 99-year lease during the reign of Abdullah Yameen. During the rule of pro-India Ibrahim Mohammad Solih, China did not get a chance to start military activity on this island, but after Muizzu became the President, this island has once again come into discussion. Faiyaz Ismail, chairperson of Maldives’ main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has alleged that the Muizzu government has allowed a Chinese company to develop military infrastructure for China under the guise of agricultural operations on Uthuru Thila Falhu island.
A base being built on a rocky island under the guise of agricultural work
Faiyaz made these allegations at an MDP rally for the upcoming parliamentary elections. He also questioned the attempt to do farming on rocky land. He said that Maldives already has a large amount of land for agricultural purposes. In such a situation, why is a Chinese company being allowed to do agriculture on barren and rocky land? He said, “There are large tracts of land in Gan. There are also agricultural lands in Washafaru and Kela. Why are these places not cultivated? Why do we need the rocky land of Uthuru Thila Falhu Island? They plant trees in salt and grow food in them.” Why are you trying to develop it when people can be settled there?
Developing near the military port of Maldives
Muizzu government gave this project to a Chinese company but Fayaz did not take the name of China. He called China “a great power in another region of the world.” He said, “There is a lot of geopolitics associated with this project. They are not coming to plant trees. There is a powerful Maldivian Navy port right in front. They are coming in to do military work for a big country far away.” ” He also said that a Chinese ship has been mapping the underwater area for the past few months after entering Maldives waters.
Opposition’s roar – Will take back the island as soon as we come to power
Expressing concern, he said, “This was something for which our (MDP) government had made an agreement and did it in a transparent manner. But now we do not know whether there is an agreement or not. That work is going ahead. We Don’t know exactly what’s going on there.” Fayyaz accused the Muizzu government of trying to bring distant superpower China into the region and disrupt the peace and stability of the Indian Ocean. He said, if MDP returns to power, Uthuru Thila Falhu will be taken back by the government and nominated for housing.