WUHAN - Construction has started on 7,000 affordable houses in Hulhumale, a reclaimed island in Maldives, said China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Co Ltd.

"We have won the contract with our strong design and construction capacity. We also highlighted environmental protection in housing designs and won recognition of local firms," said Li Wenduo, director of the company's design academy.

In 2013, the first phase of 1,000 housing units were built in Hulhumale, a reclaimed island about 1.3 kilometers North of the capital Male.

The new project includes 16 high-rise buildings, with a total floor space of 451,900 square meters, the company said.