China's foreign ministry on Monday has advised Chinese citizens to avoid visiting the Maldives until political tensions stabilize.

GENG SHUANG, SPOKESMAN CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY "Chinese New Year is the peak season for Chinese tourists to visit the Maldives. But given the current circumstances we suggest tourists already there pay close attention to the situation and intensified security measures. We also suggest that Chinese citizens who are preparing to go to the Maldives to wait until the situation on the ground stabilizes."