According to the Ministry of Commerce, the negotiations on the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement were launched in December 2015. After five rounds of formal negotiations and one ministerial consultation, the two sides reached an agreement on all issues and formally signed the agreement on December 7, 2017. After that, both sides have promoted the ratification procedures. At present, both sides have completed the ratification and agreed to take effect on January 1, 2025 in accordance with the relevant provisions of the agreement. The Ministry of Commerce stated that after the entry into force of the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement, most of my country's industrial products such as ships, electrical equipment, furniture and agricultural products such as vegetables and fruits exported to the Maldives will benefit.

Most of the aquatic products originating in the Maldives will also enjoy zero tariff treatment when exported to China.

The entry into force of the agreement will provide a solid institutional guarantee for improving the level of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation between the two countries, effectively promote greater development of bilateral economic and trade relations, and continuously enhance the well-being of enterprises and people of the two countries.