New Chinese Ambassador pays courtesy call on Speaker

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China Yu Dunhai paid a courtesy call on Speaker Anġlu Farrugia.

Speaker Farrugia welcomed the new Chinese Ambassador and recalled the excellent bilateral relations which exist between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Malta, relations which were established on 21^st January 1972 and which have since been manifested by numerous agreements and Memoranda of Understanding, as well as various high level visits. It was also noted that Malta was one of the first European countries to start relations with China.

Speaker Farrugia spoke about the Annual Chinese Artist celebration, which is organised at the House of Representatives – an event which has become a tradition in parliament. This commemorates the yearly anniversary of China-Maltese relations which will enter their 50th year in 2022.

Speaker Farrugia referred to his meetings with the various delegations from the CPPCC (Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference) that visited Malta over the past years and encouraged further cooperation between the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malta, and the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China, including the formation of a Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Speaker Farrugia noted that Malta and China have built a close historical relationship which includes cooperation in the fields of investment, tourism, education, and culture. He also referred to the twinning agreements between Santa Luċija and Jin Chang (Suzhon) and Mdina and Dongcheng District (Beijing), signed in 2000 and 2017 respectively.

Both parties noted the importance of EU-China relations on the economic and political front. The European Union already has a number of standing treaties and agreements with China which are in the process of being ratified. This will pave the way for further cooperation with European countries and the rest of the international spectrum.         

Ambassador Yu Dunhai was accompanied by Wang Zhaofeng, Political Counsellor, and Fan Jin, Director of the Political Section.