Yantai in East China's Shandong province and the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of the Maldives has held an "International Zero-Carbon Island Construction and Green Low-Carbon Development Exchange Conference" in Male, capital of the Maldives, to seek a path towards sustainable development.

During the conference, Zheng Deyan, mayor of Yantai, introduced the city's efforts to promote international zero-carbon island cooperation and expressed willingness to deepen cooperation with the Maldives in advancing green and low-carbon development on islands.

Maldives Minister of State Ibrahim Mimrah emphasized the importance of low-carbon development and said he looked forward to cooperating with Yantai to promote technology and research exchanges, capacity building, and economic diversification.

Chinese companies such as Dongfang Electronics, Tayho New Materials, and LONGi introduced solutions in green energy, new materials, and technology training for island nations at the event.

Yantai-based Dongfang Electronics and the State Power Company of the Maldives teamed up to launch the construction of the "Joint Smart Energy Comprehensive Management Laboratory", which will train talent for the energy industry in the Maldives. Ctrip Group, a Chinese online travel agency, signed an ecotourism cooperation agreement with several Maldivian partners.

During the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2024, Yantai took the lead in launching the "International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Initiative" and proposed the establishment of the "International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Organization". This organization aims to assist island nations in addressing climate change and achieving sustainable development.

Moving forward, Yantai will invite Maldivian institutions, universities, and companies to join the organization to support the Maldives' green transformation efforts.