Maldives: known as the Republic of Maldives in full (formerly known as the Maldives Islands, and changed into the current name in November 1968), is located in South Asia, is an island in the Indian Ocean, and is also the world's largest coral island. It is composed of more than 1,200 small coral islands, of which 202 islands are inhabited. From the aerial view it looks like a string of pearls scattered in the Indian Ocean. It has an area of 300 square kilometers (territorial waters not included), and it is Asia's smallest country.

Maldives is 675 km away from Sri Lanka on its northeast, and is 113 km away from the Indian island of Minicoy on the north. The southern equatorial Strait of Maldives and One-and-Half Degree Channel are marine traffic arteries.

On December 4, 2014, Male desalination plant caught fire and led to damages to some devices, and the fresh water supply to the island was interrupted. The Chinese government  provided emergency cash assistance and drinking water to Maldives.