# Wang Fukang _2nd Resident Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Maldives (2013–2017)_ - Type: Person - Also known as: Ambassador Wang Fukang, 王福康, H.E. Wang Fukang (王福康) - Last reviewed: 2026-10-19 Wang Fukang is a Chinese diplomat who served from December 2013 to August 2017 as the second resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Maldives. Serving during the first four years of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's administration, he coordinated President Xi Jinping's historic September 2014 state visit to Malé, the Maldives' entry into the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, the commencement of the USD 200 million Sinamalé Bridge and USD 373 million Velana International Airport expansion, and the completion of the Laamu Link Road. ## Key facts - Malé tenure: Served as the second resident Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives from 30 December 2013 to August 2017 during the administration of President Abdulla Yameen. - Historic head-of-state summit: Coordinated President Xi Jinping's 14–16 September 2014 state visit to Malé—the first visit by a Chinese president in 42 years of diplomatic relations. - Airport loan contracted: Oversaw the December 2015 signing of the USD 373 million China Eximbank concessional loan for the Velana International Airport code-4F runway and fuel farm. - Grant highway completed: Handed over the 14.9-kilometre China-aid Laamu Link Road connecting Fonadhoo, Kadhdhoo, Maandhoo, and Gan in Laamu Atoll on 10 October 2016. - Flagship projects launched: Includes Sinamalé Bridge (USD 200m), Velana International Airport expansion (USD 373m), and Laamu Link Road (14.9 km grant) ## Xi Jinping's 2014 visit and the launch of Belt and Road mega-projects _Wang Fukang's tenure in Malé transformed China from a secondary development partner into the Maldives' largest infrastructure financier and contractor under President Abdulla Yameen._ **Major diplomatic, financial, and strategic developments under Ambassador Wang Fukang** - President Xi Jinping's State Visit & 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Entry (September 2014): From 14 to 16 September 2014, Wang hosted President Xi Jinping in Malé—the first visit by a Chinese head of state since diplomatic ties began in 1972. The two governments issued a Joint Press Communiqué establishing a 'Future-Oriented All-Round Friendly and Cooperative Partnership', signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, unveiled the plaque for the Malé–Hulhulé Bridge project, and witnessed agreements for the Velana International Airport expansion and the Laamu Link Road.. Date: 14–16 September 2014. Counterparts: President Xi Jinping and President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. - Launch of Sinamalé Bridge, VIA Expansion & Laamu Link Road (2015–2016): Following the 2014 summit, Wang oversaw the financing and commencement of three signature Belt and Road works: the USD 200 million China–Maldives Friendship Bridge (Sinamalé Bridge, funded via a USD 116m Chinese grant, USD 72m China Eximbank loan, and USD 12m Maldivian contribution), the December 2015 USD 373 million China Eximbank concessional loan for Velana International Airport's 3,400-metre code-4F runway and fuel farm, and the 14.9 km grant-aided Laamu Link Road, which was completed on 10 October 2016.. Contractors: CCCC Second Harbor Engineering Co. (Bridge), BUCG (VIA), and Jiangsu Transportation Engineering Group (Laamu Link Road). - 2015 Constitutional Land Amendment & 50-Year Island Concessions (2015–2016): Wang's tenure coincided with intense regional sensitivity in New Delhi after the People's Majlis amended the Constitution in July 2015 to allow foreign freehold land ownership for projects reclaiming at least 70% of land and investing over USD 1 billion, and after Chinese firms acquired 50-year resort leases on islands including Feydhoo Finolhu (leased in December 2016 for USD 4 million) and Kunaavashi.. Dates: July 2015 (constitutional amendment) and December 2016 (Feydhoo Finolhu 50-year lease). ## Timeline - 2013-12-30: Presents Letter of Credence to President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. Wang Fukang presents his credentials to President Yameen at the President's Office in Malé as the second resident Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives. - 2014-09-15: Hosts President Xi Jinping's historic state visit to the Maldives. Coordinates the 14–16 September 2014 state visit of President Xi Jinping to Malé, establishing the Future-Oriented All-Round Friendly and Cooperative Partnership and launching the Sinamalé Bridge and airport expansion. - December 2015: Signing of USD 373 million China Eximbank loan for Velana International Airport. China Eximbank and the Maldivian Ministry of Finance sign a USD 373 million concessional loan for the code-4F runway, fuel farm, and cargo terminal at Velana International Airport. - 2016-10-10: Completion of the 14.9 km China-aid Laamu Link Road. The grant-funded highway linking Fonadhoo, Kadhdhoo, Maandhoo, and Gan in Laamu Atoll is completed and handed over to the Maldivian government. - 2017-08-10: Pays farewell call on President Abdulla Yameen. Pays his farewell call on President Yameen in August 2017 upon completing his nearly four-year tenure in Malé, succeeded by Ambassador Zhang Lizhong. ## Sources - [New Chinese Ambassador presents credentials to the President](https://presidency.gov.mv/Press/Article/13768). The President's Office (Maldives), 30 December 2013 - [Chinese Ambassador pays farewell call on the President](https://presidency.gov.mv/Press/Article/18107). The President's Office (Maldives), 10 August 2017 - [Joint Press Communiqué between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Maldives (Malé, 15 September 2014)](http://mv.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/zmgx/zywx/202602/t20260201_11848756.htm). Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Maldives, 15 September 2014 - [Export Import Bank of China — International Cooperation Partner Profile](https://www.finance.gov.mv/ministry/international-cooperation/export-import-bank-of-china). Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises (Maldives), 23 May 2020 - [Maldives pledges full support for China's new Silk Road](https://edition.mv/maldives_foreign_policy/1593). The Edition, 13 July 2016 - [Sinamale Bridge: USD 200 million project cost breakdown](https://edition.mv/news/43821). The Edition, 30 August 2018 - [Story Telling on 50 Years of China-Maldives Diplomatic Ties — The Laamu Link Road Project](http://mv.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/zt/zmjj50zngsh/202210/t20221011_10781013.htm). Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Maldives, 11 October 2022 - [Chinese Investment in the Maldives: Appraising the String of Pearls](https://amti.csis.org/chinese-investment-in-the-maldives-appraising-the-string-of-pearls/). Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) — Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, 4 September 2020 --- Canonical URL: https://www.goodmorningmaldives.com/entities/wang-fukang Source: Good Morning Maldives. Cite the canonical URL when quoting.