China today upgraded its travel warning for its citizens visiting the Maldives for holidays, asking them to cancel their plans after an emergency was declared by embattled President Abdulla Yameen in the island nation whose economy relies heavily on Chinese tourists. Chinese tourists constitute about 30 per cent of the Maldives tourist arrivals.The Spring Festival holiday, which includes Chinese New Year celebrations is peak season for Chinese citizens to travel to the Maldives for tourism. The Chinese government attaches great importance to the security of the Chinese citizens including the outbound tourists," he said. I will urge the relevant country to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese tourists. He reiterated that China "required Maldives to take effective measures to earnestly protect security of the Chinese people, institutions and projects in the Maldives."

Source: dna February 06, 2018 16:48 UTC