China believes the Maldives will make the "correct choice" to continue with a bilateral free trade deal, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Tuesday, after a Maldives politician said the tiny nation would pull out of the pact.

China believes Maldives will make 'correct choice' to continue with free trade deal

The Maldives’ new government will pull out of a free trade agreement (FTA) with China because it was a mistake for the tiny nation to strike such a pact with the world’s second biggest economy, the head of the largest party in the ruling alliance said.

Maldives set to pull out of China free trade deal, says senior lawmaker

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today held 'productive' talks with her Maldivian counterpart Mohamed Asim amidst a strain in bilateral ties over a number of issues, including the signing of an FTA between Maldives and China

Sushma Swaraj holds 'productive' talks with Maldivian Foreign Minister: MEA