2014年CRI 国家主席42年来首访马尔代夫 四川重庆暴雨成灾（在线收听）

Chinese President Xi Jinping is now in the capital of the Maldives, in the first visit to the Indian Ocean nation by a Chinese head of state in 42 years.

In remarks delivered upon arrival, Xi Jinping noted that bilateral relations have become a model of equality and harmonious interaction between countries of different sizes.

He said the Maldives is an important stop along the ancient Maritime Silk Road, reiterating that Beijing welcomes the country's active participation in China's initiative of building a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

The Chinese leader arrived in the Maldives from Tajikstan, where he attended a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit and paid a state visit.

Heavy rainstorms in Sichuan province and Chongqing have killed at least a dozen people.

Torrential rains since Friday have caused the deaths of 12 in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

Another seven people have been reported missing and close to 30,000 people have been evacuated.

Rain-triggered floods and landslides have also killed several people in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Hubei provinces.

China's meteorological center has forecast heavy rain in southwest and central China to last until Monday afternoon.