China has hit back at comments made by former president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, who said China was engaged in a "land grab" of its key infrastructure. However, the foreign ministry said China's aid to the Maldives was unconditional.

GENG SHUANG CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON "Nasheed's words are nonsense. Chinese aid to the Maldives existed during Nasheed's presidential term and they made substantial achievements. I wonder whether Mr. Nasheed put all the cooperation on the list as a "grab". China has never attached any political conditions to providing aid to the Maldives, and the aid has done no harm to the country's sovereignty and independence, let alone jeopardize the Indian Ocean area's security. Cooperation between China and the Maldives is in line with their common interest."