Climate change-threatened Maldives receives Tibetan glacier water from China

In response to the threat of climate change, the Maldives has received assistance in the form of Tibetan glacier water from China. This aid aims to address water scarcity challenges exacerbated by climate change, providing a sustainable solution to meet the Maldives' freshwater needs. The collaboration underscores international efforts to support vulnerable regions facing environmental crises.

The Maldives foreign ministry released a statement saying that the consignment of 1,500 tonnes of drinking water was a gift from Yan Jinhai, the chairman of the Xizang Autonomous Region, or Tibet, lying more than 3,385 kilometres (2,100 miles) away on the far side of the world's highest mountain range.

China has sent across over a million bottles filled with water from melting Tibetan glaciers to the Maldives which is currently reeling under the detrimental impact of climate change.

With salt levels dripping into the land and corrupting water that is potable, the low-lying archipelago nation, which comprises over 1,192 tiny coral islands, is at the forefront of the climate crisis, further pushing it to be dependent on desalination plants.

According to the scientists, the Himalayan glaciers are melting faster than ever due to the climate change.

'Gift from world's highest mountains'

The Maldives foreign ministry released a statement saying that the consignment of 1,500 tonnes of drinking water was a gift from Yan Jinhai, the chairman of the Xizang Autonomous Region, or Tibet, lying more than 3,385 kilometres (2,100 miles) away on the far side of the world's highest mountain range.

The bottles of water, which were packed into 90 sea containers, had arrived last week and were unloaded in the capital city Male, said a port authority official.

"The Chairman of Xizang Autonomous Region announced his wish to donate 1,500 tonnes of drinking water... during his official visit to the country in November," the Maldives foreign ministry said in a statement. 

Shortage of water

Earlier, there were reports that the water was imported for the consumption of President Mohamed Muizzu, who is also dubbed as pro-China.

However, the ministry rebuffed the accusations stating that the ministry had decided to utilise the water to assist islands.

"The government of Maldives has decided to utilise the water to provide assistance to islands in case of water shortage," it said.

Maldives to get free military assistance from China

Earlier this month, China inked a defence cooperation agreement with the Maldives that will offer the island nation free military aid to promote "stronger" bilateral ties.

The Defence Minister of the Maldives Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon met with Major General Zhang Baoqun, Deputy Director of the Office for International Military Cooperation of China, and discussed strengthening defence cooperation between the two nations.

Maumoon and Major General Baoqun "signed an agreement on China's provision of military assistance gratis to the Republic of Maldives, fostering stronger bilateral ties," the Maldivian defence ministry posted on its X handle.

Previously, China has also gifted 12 environmentally efficient ambulances to the Maldives.

Sourced from Wion