Xi greets Maldives president-elect Solih, hopes to lift ties to new level
[ad_1] BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping has greeted the Maldives President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih , who defeated pro-China incumbent Abdullah Yameen, raising concern in Beijing over its big investments in the strategically located country in the Indian Ocean. China, which has invested millions of dollars in different projects in the Maldives, is weighing its options in the country as Yameen has been trounced by Solih, widely regarded as a pro-India leader. State-run Xinhua news agency reported about Xi's congratulatory message to Solih on Sunday after the election commission in the island nation confirmed his win, putting to rest speculation that Yameen plans to dispute election results in a bid to continue in power. Solih is scheduled to take over power from Yameen on November 17. The long gap for transfer of power raised concerns among Solih's supporters whether Yameen would hand over power smoothly. The election of Solih has raised anxieties in Beijing over its ma...