Ambassador of China to Maldives Zhang Lizhong, on Monday, responded to the recent allegations raised by Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail regarding the free trade agreement signed with China during the presidency of Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Speaking during a programme aired on the national radio last Saturday, Fayyaz expressed his opinion that Maldives should not implement the FTA, claiming that it heavily favoured China and would not bring any substantial economic gains for Maldives.

He asserted that the current provisions of the deal would negatively affect the Maldivian economy.

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