Gozo accessibility discussion taken up by questions on Chinese company's interest in Malta

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat turned tables on the Opposition when he expressed his hope that the opposition "had nothing against" foreign investment from China. 

The majority of this evening's plenary session was taken up by a discussion on the proposed feasibility study for a Gozo bridge - or rather on the Chinese company which has offered to do the study free of charge.

Questions were raised as to whether the government knew the company was blacklisted and to explain what this company would gain from the study.

"I urge the Opposition to send a clear message that it had nothing against the Chinese government showing interest in investing in Malta. It was the Chinese government which approached us, suggesting this company should carry out a feasibility study," he said, adding that the government needed to be flexible in attracting foreign investment.

At the same time, he reiterated that the government was not bound to opt for the China Communications Construction Company if it were decided that a bridge should be developed to increase accessibility between Malta and Gozo.

Muscat expressed his "disappointment" over still not knowing whether the opposition was in favour of a bridge or a tunnel or both. He said, that before presenting the public with a referendum, the government needed all feasibility studies studying the best options for a fixed link to be concluded.

"Yet, I still don't know whether the Opposition is in favour of a bridge or not. We have before us an important opportunity to discuss connectivity and instead we faced an onslaught on the agreement signed," he said.

The Prime Minister said he felt like the Opposition was telling him to "apologise" on government's success in having managed to obtain a favourable agreement for the Maltese Islands. "Their [oppostion's] feedback is that 'it's too good to be true' because the number one contractor in China, owned by the Chinese government showed an interest in us."

Reacting to questions on whether he knew the company was blacklisted by the World Bank, Muscat noted that - contrary to the Lahmeyer saga - this Chinese company was not a consultant and the government was not paying it as a consultant.

"We do not have any obligations, which shows this government's diligence. We are also comforted by the fact that there is parallel feasibility study, financed by the Europeam Union, which is looking at all fixed link options," he said.

Muscat confirmed that during all meetings held between the government and the company, an official representing the Chinese government was present. He also reassured the House that the Auditor General had analysed and proposed changes before the MoU before was signed.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding signed on Friday, the Chinese company shall present the government with a detailed feasibility study for a fixed link between Malta and Gozo within a period of 12 months from the date of signing the MoU. The understanding is that China Communications Construction Company Ltd shall complete the study "free of any charge" to the government and the government shall not be obliged to pay CCCC any charges or other expenses.

In his intervention, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said he was surprised that the Prime Minister failed to refer to the company's debarment by the World Bank until 2017, as revealed by MaltaToday. The same company, he said, was facing cases in Malaysia over conspiracy and fraud.

"Did the Prime Minister know that the company was blacklisted? Did he carry out the necessary research? A Google search immediately leads you to the news that this company was blacklisted," he said.

Busuttil asked whether the government questioned what was in it for the Chinese government.

Both Nationalist MPs Marthese Portelli and Ryan Callus pointed out that according to the MoU, the designs included in the study "were the intellectually property of CCCC" and may be only used by the government for the implementation of the project by mutual agreement between the two parties. At one point, Portelli also asked why the signature of Liu Lingzhong, deputy general managers of the company, did not appear in the MoU even though his name was listed.

MP Tonio Fenech asked how the prime minister arrived to the €4 million figure when nothing in the MoU referred to figures. Like his colleagues, Fenech questioned what was in for the Chinese company especially when it appeared that the government could be restricted in his use of the feasibility study. Fenech also asked how far was the Chinese government involved in the agreement.

In his ministerial statement, Muscat said government was looking at various options to increase connectivity between Malta and Gozo including a fast-ferry service, a helicopter and a small airplane service.

"We are a government that shows we are ready to get things moving. We are a government who is ready to listen to the Gozitans and take decisions," Muscat said.