China and the Maldives inked two deals, including an economic and technical cooperation agreement, as the sides pledged to strengthen cooperation.

The signing followed a meeting between President Xi Jinping and Maldives President Abdulla Yameen in Nanjing, Jiangsu province on Saturday.

Calling the Maldives an important partner in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region, Xi said China would like to expand cooperation in tourism, trade and infrastructural construction. Maritime cooperation could be the new highlight of bilateral cooperation, said Xi.

China welcomed the Maldives, on the route of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, to participate into the build-up of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road proposed by Beijing last year, he said.

Yameen said the Maldives hoped Chinese companies would take part in the island country's key s of tourism, infrastructure construction and youth development.

Both countries can strengthen coordination to better tackle global challenges such as climate change, he added.

Yameen is in Nanjing to attend the opening ceremony of the 2nd Youth Olympic Games on Saturday.

Before his arrival Yameen said his visit would focus on specific sectors that would bring mutual benefits to both countries.

China holds the record for the greatest number of tourist arrivals from a single country to the Maldives.

A third of the 1.125 million visitors to the Maldives last year were Chinese, according to Yameen.

Contact the writer at zhaoshengnan@chinadaily.com.cn