# Yu Hongyao _1st Resident Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Maldives (2011–2013)_ - Type: Person - Also known as: Ambassador Yu Hongyao, 余洪耀, H.E. Yu Hongyao (余洪耀) - Last reviewed: 2026-10-19 Yu Hongyao is a Chinese diplomat who served from October 2011 to November 2013 as the first resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Maldives, following 39 years of non-resident representation from Colombo. Prior to opening the permanent Chinese chancery in Malé under President Mohamed Nasheed, he served as Chinese Ambassador to Mongolia (2007–2011). ## Key facts - Malé tenure: Served as the first resident Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives from 19 October 2011 to 7 November 2013 across the Nasheed and Waheed administrations. - Chancery inauguration: Opened the permanent resident Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Henveiru, Malé on 8 November 2011 after 39 years of non-resident representation from Colombo. - Phase I & II housing credits: Oversaw the 1,000-unit Hulhumalé Phase I housing project and the September 2012 China Eximbank loan for 1,500 outer-island housing units built by CMEC. - Maldivian administrations covered: Includes President Mohamed Nasheed (2011–2012) and President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan (2012–2013) ## Establishing China's permanent embassy across the Nasheed and Waheed administrations _After 39 years in which Chinese Ambassadors in Colombo were concurrently accredited to Malé, Yu Hongyao established Beijing's permanent diplomatic presence in the Maldives and managed the early China Eximbank social housing portfolio._ **Foundational milestones during Yu Hongyao's tenure (2011–2013)** - Opening of the Resident Chancery in Malé (October–November 2011): On 19 October 2011, Yu Hongyao presented his Letter of Credence to President Mohamed Nasheed at the President's Office as China's first resident Ambassador to the Maldives. Less than three weeks later, on 8 November 2011—just ahead of the 17th SAARC Summit in Addu City—Beijing formally inaugurated its resident embassy at H. Nookurikeela in Henveiru, Malé.. Dates: 19 October 2011 (credentials) & 8 November 2011 (embassy opening). Administration: President Mohamed Nasheed. - Hulhumalé Phase I (1,000 Units) and Southern Atolls Phase II Housing (1,500 Units): During Yu's tenure, China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) delivered the 1,000 social housing units in Hulhumalé Phase I financed by China Eximbank's first sovereign concessional loan to the Maldives (signed in 2010 under President Nasheed). Following the February 2012 transfer of power to President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan, Yu oversaw the September 2012 signing of the Phase II concessional loan agreement with China Eximbank for 1,500 social housing units across nine southern islands in five atolls, including 312 units in Addu Atoll and 50 units in GDh. Gadhdhoo.. Lender: Export-Import Bank of China. Contractor: CMEC. Administrations: Nasheed (Phase I) & Waheed (Phase II). ## Timeline - 2011-10-19: Presents Letter of Credence to President Mohamed Nasheed as first resident Chinese Ambassador. Yu Hongyao presents his credentials to President Mohamed Nasheed at the President's Office in Malé, ending 39 years of non-resident representation from Colombo. - 2011-11-08: Inauguration of the resident Embassy of China in Henveiru, Malé. China formally opens its permanent resident diplomatic mission in Henveiru, Malé ahead of the 17th SAARC Summit. - September 2012: Signing of Phase II outer-island concessional loan for 1,500 housing units. Under President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan, the Maldives signs a China Eximbank concessional loan for 1,500 social housing units across nine southern islands in five atolls, built by CMEC. - 2013-11-07: Pays farewell call on President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan. Pays his farewell call on President Waheed on 7 November 2013 upon concluding his tenure as China's first resident Ambassador in Malé, succeeded in December 2013 by Ambassador Wang Fukang. ## Sources - [First resident Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives presents credentials to President Nasheed](https://presidency.gov.mv/Press/Article/6137). The President's Office (Maldives), 19 October 2011 - [Chinese Ambassador pays farewell call on President Waheed](https://presidency.gov.mv/Press/Article/13483). The President's Office (Maldives), 7 November 2013 - [Contact Us — Chancery and Consular Section Details](http://mv.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/sgxx/lxwm/201401/t20140117_1784764.htm). Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Maldives, 17 January 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 - [Story Telling on 50 Years of China-Maldives Diplomatic Ties — The Housing Projects in Addu Atoll and Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll](http://mv.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/zt/zmjj50zngsh/202212/t20221218_10991796.htm). Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Maldives, 18 December 2022 --- Canonical URL: https://www.goodmorningmaldives.com/entities/yu-hongyao Source: Good Morning Maldives. Cite the canonical URL when quoting.