MALE - Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here Sunday for a state visit to Maldives, the first of its kind since the two countries established diplomatic ties 42 years ago.

During his trip, Xi will hold talks with Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen. It will be the second meeting between the two presidents within one month.

On Aug 16, they met in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, before attending the opening ceremony of the second Summer Youth Olympic Games.

During his stay in Male, Xi will also meet with Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed, speaker of the People's Majlis, the unicameral legislative body of Maldives.

A series of cooperation agreements are expected to be signed between the two countries during Xi's visit, which Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jianchao commented is of "epoch-making significance" for China-Maldives ties.

Over the past 42 years, bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade and tourism has grown steadily, and China has been Maldives' top source of overseas tourists for the past four years.