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CHEC: Shaping Maldives’ hospitality landscape, one resort at a time

With world-class resort construction and reclamation as its core strength, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) is helping to redefine luxury tourism in the Maldives—project by project, island by island.The Maldives, a string of tropical atolls renowned for its turquoise waters and luxury resorts, has long captivated the world. Beneath the allure of its pristine beaches and iconic overwater villas lies a foundation of engineered precision and infrastructural foresight—work carried out, in many cases, by CHEC. As one of the world’s leading building and infrastructure providers, CHEC has not only contributed to the Maldives’ landmark projects and further national development goals but has also positioned itself with its high-quality resort construction product delivery as a key enabler of the country’s booming hospitality and resort sector.

“Resort construction and land reclamation are not only integral to our operations in the Maldives—they represent the face and core of our business here,” said Mr. Pu, Deputy Country Manager from CHEC Maldives. “We are proud to work closely with the government, Local partners, developers, and hospitality stakeholders to build high-quality tourism infrastructure that supports long-term sustainable growth.”

From Engineering Giant to Resort Development Powerhouse

Headquartered in China and ranked 4th on ENR 2024 Top 250 international contractors, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) is a globally integrated enterprise, offering services that span investment, design, engineering, construction, operations, and equipment manufacturing. In the Maldives, the company operates through its main subsidiaries CHEC, with a special focus on tourism infrastructure.

While CHEC’s credentials include major building, land reclamation, port, road, and airport projects, it is the resort development division that has become the cornerstone of its operations in the Maldives. Since 2012, people-to-people culture exchanges between China and Maldives have become increasingly frequent, more and more investors have come to the Maldives to invest in the tourism industry, the company has consistently expanded its footprint in the archipelago’s tourism sector with a management team of more than 350 people and 2,000 workers in Maldives. Beginning with resort investment and construction activities in 2016, CHEC has since executed 10 building projects, including 9 high-profile resort development projects that now host thousands of tourists each year.

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Resort Reclamation: Engineering Foundations for Luxury

At the heart of many resort projects lies a significant challenge—land availability. To meet the demands of growing tourism, land reclamation is often essential to create viable resort footprints in remote atolls. This is where CHEC’s state-of-the-art dredging capabilities come into play.

Among its standout assets is the JUNYANG-1, a five-star flagship dredger handed over in 2016. With a remarkable dredging capacity more than 21,000m³ and a depth capability of 90 meters, JUNYANG-1 represents the pinnacle of marine engineering. The vessel ensures optimal performance even in the most demanding marine environments. This capability has enabled the company to complete reclamation projects with precision, speed, and minimal environmental disruption—laying the groundwork for the development of world-class resorts.

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JUNYANG-1 for Land Reclamation Construction

Landmark Resort Projects

CHEC’s contribution to the Maldives’ luxury hospitality sector is most visible through its completed and ongoing resort projects, each of which reflects the company’s expertise in reclamation, engineering, and construction. With its core positioning of focusing on developing high-end luxury resort construction,and leveraging its unique resort design and construction capabilities in the Maldives and its global supply chain resource advantages, CHEC has delivered more than 1,000 resort rooms and will deliver 300 top-notch and unique luxury resort rooms in 2026.

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Supporting National Development Through Tourism Infrastructure

While resort construction forms the core of CHEC work in the Maldives, its contributions extend to major national projects that directly and indirectly support tourism growth. These include:

  • The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge (now Sinamale’ Bridge): Completed in 2018, this bridge significantly improved access between the capital Male’, Hulhule’ (airport island), and Hulhumale’, creating seamless transfer routes for tourists and residents.
  • Velana International Airport: As the national gateway for tourism, the expansion of VIA was a strategic project. CHEC played a key role in developing the airport infrastructure, enabling higher capacity and smoother operations

Commitment to Sustainable and Quality-Driven Growth

At the core of every project undertaken by CHEC is a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable development. Whether reclaiming land or constructing villas, the company adheres to international best practices and local regulatory frameworks. CHEC collaborates with environmental consultants to mitigate ecological impact, preserve marine life, and promote long-term sustainability.

The company’s approach has earned recognition in the form of awards including the ENR Global Best Project—affirming its status as a quality-focused global player.

A Future Built on Partnership

Looking ahead, CHEC plans to deepen its collaboration with government stakeholders, private developers and local partners in the Maldives. As global tourism trends evolve and travellers demand more bespoke and eco-friendly experiences, the company aims to be a proactive partner in creating the next generation of Maldivian resorts.

“Our work is not just about building islands and resorts—it’s about building opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and a better quality of life for Maldivians,” the senior CHEC Maldives official said. “Tourism is the backbone of the country’s economy, and we are proud to be a part of that journey—shaping islands where dreams become destinations.”

China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) is a world-renowned globally building and infrastructure enterprise engaged in the investment, design, construction, and operation of urban development and transportation infrastructure. The company operates in over 100 countries and employs more than 20,000 people. In the Maldives, CHEC have completed landmark infrastructure and resort development projects that contribute significantly to the nation’s tourism sector and long-term prosperity.

Contact CHEC:

  • Phone: +960 330 3030 / +960 918 6553
  • Whatsapp: +960 918 6553
  • Email: maldives@chec.bj.cn
  • Website
Hotelier Maldives
Hotelier Maldives is the leading publication dedicated to the Maldivian hospitality industry, accessible in both print and digital formats. Our magazine is committed to the mission of "informing, inspiring, and connecting the Maldives hospitality sector." Reach us at info@hoteliermaldives.com.
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