Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi appreciated Maldives' firm support of the one-China principle and promised to uphold justice for the Asian country during a meeting with Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly on Saturday.

Remarking that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Maldives diplomatic relations, Wang said China highly appreciates the Maldives' firm support on issues related to China's core interests and major concerns.

"China also supports the Maldives in safeguarding sovereignty, independence and national dignity and will continue to uphold justice for the Maldives in the international arena," Wang said.

Noting that a UN General Assembly resolution confirmed the one-China principle, Shahid said the principle is "a firm consensus of the Maldivian government and Maldives will always abide by it."

Wang also congratulated Shahid on his performance as president of the UN General Assembly, adding it contributed to "the development of the UN cause and the response to global challenges, as well as his country's enhanced international status and influence."

Shahid thanked China for its support in areas including infrastructure, education and energy, saying that the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, built with support from China, has brought "earth-shaking changes to the Maldives, greatly accelerated its economic development and brought benefits to the Maldivian people."

Expressing thanks for China's strong support during his tenure, Shahid said he looks forward to further strengthening coordination with China on multilateral affairs.

Wang and Shahid said both countries will continue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, accelerate the ratification of the free trade agreement and inject more stable and positive expectations into bilateral cooperation.