China gifts Maldives 880 solar street lights under clean energy project

China has officially handed over 880 solar street lights to the Maldives as a gift, under the project "China Solar Lights Maldives." The agreement was signed today by Minister of Housing Dr. Abdulla Muthalib on behalf of the Maldivian government, and Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives Kong Xianhua on behalf of the Chinese government. According to the Ministry of Housing, the main purpose of the agreement is to promote clean and environmentally friendly energy in the Maldives and to ensure sustainable development across the islands. The Ministry said the assistance will pave the way for using renewable energy to light up streets in various atolls. Previously, solar street lights have been installed in three islands of the Maldives under Chinese aid. The Maldivian government aims to make 33 percent of the energy used in the Maldives renewable by the year 2028.