Chongqing – In a significant move to honor the country’s engineering achievements, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu announced through a statement that August 30 will now be recognized as National Engineers' Day. This date holds special significance as it marks the completion and opening of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, a milestone in the nation's infrastructure development.

The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge. (Photo/China Communications Second Navigational Bureau Second Engineering Co., Ltd.)

The bridge, which connects the capital city of Malé, the island of Hulhumalé, and Velana International Airport, stands as the largest infrastructure project in the history of the Maldives. The Presidential Office emphasized that the designation of August 30 is a tribute to the engineers and workers who made the project possible. “This is the most fitting date to celebrate Engineers' Day,” the statement read.

The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge was constructed by China Communications Second Navigational Bureau Second Engineering Co., Ltd., a state-owned enterprise headquartered in Chongqing.

Spanning a total length of 2 kilometers, the bridge is a four-lane, bidirectional structure with a main span composed of a six-section hybrid beam and a V-shaped rigid frame. As a signature project of the Belt and Road Initiative between China and the Maldives, it was officially opened to traffic on August 30, 2018.

The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge spans a total length of 2 kilometers. (Photo/China Communications Second Navigational Bureau Second Engineering Co., Ltd.)

The project, which took 33 months to complete, overcame numerous technical and environmental challenges, including the complex geology of coral reefs, long-period deep-sea waves, high salinity, intense humidity and radiation, material shortages, and narrow construction sites.

The bridge’s completion marked the end of the Maldives’ long history without a sea bridge, significantly enhancing local transportation infrastructure and contributing to broader social and economic development.

This year marks the seventh anniversary of the bridge’s opening. In accordance with the Presidential Office’s directive, the Maldives will organize a series of celebrations to commemorate National Engineers’ Day, recognizing the vital role engineers continue to play in shaping the country's future.

As the Maldives moves forward, the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge remains a lasting symbol of the strong partnership between the two nations, reflecting their shared commitment to infrastructure development and mutual growth.