On May 25th, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Embassy of Malta in Beijing jointly held a reception for the 45th anniversary of China-Malta diplomatic relations in Beijing. Mr Ma Biao, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC, Mr John Aquilina, Ambassador of Malta to China, Ms Zhang Qiujian, Deputy Secretary General of the CPPCC, Mr Hu Sishe, Vice President of the CPAFFC, together with around 120 guests from the International Liaison Department of the CCCPC, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Culture, ambassadors from Greece, Latvia,Slovakia, the Philippines and Montenegro to China together with Deputy Heads of Mission and diplomats from the EU delegation and relevant foreign embassies to China and representatives from all sectors attended the reception. Vice President of the CPAFFC Hu Sishe and Ambassador John Aquilina delivered speeches.

Vice President Hu Sishe said in his speech that the past 45 years has witnessed steady development of China-Malta relations with fruitful cooperation in all fields. Exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in all sectors has not only enhanced mutual understanding and friendship between their people, but also enriched exchanges and mutual learning between eastern and western civilizations. The CPAFFC is willing to take the 45th anniversary of China-Malta diplomatic ties as an opportunity to work with Malta, on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, further strengthen practical cooperation in all fields, and promote the bilateral relations to a new height.

Ambassador John Aquilina reviewed the development of Malta-China relations in the 45 years and said that Malta is willing to cooperate with China, further strengthen the bilateral political, economical and cultural relations on the basis of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations and bring benefits to the Maltese and Chinese people. 

On the reception, Vice Chairman Ma Biao and Ambassador John Aquilina attended the unveiling ceremony of commemorative envelop for the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malta and jointly cut the cake for the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties.