China has become pervasive in the Maldives, exerting influence over infrastructure, trade, and energy sectors, raising concerns of a new form of Chinese entrapment.

[5] President Mohamed Muizzu considers his country's relationship with Beijing as one of the Maldives' closest 'allies and developmental partners' in the region.

[7] Maldives strongly supported China's 2007 application to join the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as an observer.

[11] In September 2012, President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik met Premier Wen Jiabao in China.

[10] In October 2012, Li Changchun, member of the Politburo Standing Committee, visited the Maldivian President Mohamed Waheed Hassan.

Li said "China will continue to provide assistance to its capacity to help promote the Maldivian social and economic growth and support the country's infrastructure and human resource development".

[18] China's enduring economic partnership with the Maldives for over a decade has remained robust, positioning Beijing well to steadily pursue its strategic goals in Male.

[10] Large infrastructure projects facilitated by Chinese investment, including the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, are a significant aspect of the cooperation between China and the Maldives.

During the state visit, the two countries agreed to develop an "Action Plan" for establishing a comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership between China and Maldives from 2024 to 2028.

The survey ship has the capability to conduct civilian research as well as military surveillance, and is strategically positioned in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

[28][29][30] Following growing Chinese influence in Maldives, India–Maldives relations had soured in a number of areas including defence and security.

Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, the Indian Ocean has been designated as the focal point of the Maritime Silk Road (MSR) initiative.