President Xi Jinping envisioned China's expanded teamwork with the Maldives on connectivity, climate change and tourism as he arrived at the first stop of his South Asia trip on Sunday.

Xi compared the country on the Indian Ocean to "a string of pearls that God left in the human world".

China "will continue its support and help" with the social and economic development of the Maldives, Xi said in a written speech upon his arrival late on Sunday after finishing his visit to Tajikistan. He will visit Sri Lanka and India later.