Borg in China: communist party calls for closer Malta ties

Foreign Minister Tonio Borg is leading ‘a Nationalist Party delegation’ on an official visit to China, according to Xinhua news agency.

In a meeting he held with Zhou Yongkang, a committee member in the political bureau of the communist party’s central committee, Zhou thanked Malta for facilitating China’s efforts to withdraw its citizens from Libya in February.

Yangkong is also head of the Central Political and Legislative Committee, an organ directing central government legal policy and the legislative agenda.

Zhou said the two countries’ relations had grown healthily since forging diplomatic ties in 1972 and characterized the relationship as “a paradigm of how countries of different social systems can get on well.”

As next year will mark the 40th anniversary of China-Malta relations, the two countries will stage a series of celebration events, Zhou said.

“China would like to work with Malta to step up exchanges between governments, legislative bodies and parties in order to benefit the two peoples,” Zhou said.

Borg was described by Xinhua as “marvelled at the changes he has seen during his five visits to China.”

“Calling this visit ‘a journey of learning’ Borg said he would like to share experience on state governance with the CPC. Malta and China have maintained vigorous relations despite the drastic size difference and the great distance from each other, Borg said.

“Borg said Malta’s people will keep in mind the generous support China has offered over the long term.”