Sino-Maltese Ties to Be Advanced: Chinese Premier

Chinese Premier Meets Maltese FM

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said in Beijing Friday that China will work together with Malta to further advance their traditional friendship and deepen bilateral cooperation in all fields.

Meeting Friday morning with visiting Foreign Minister Joseph Borg of Malta in Zhongnanhai, the central government compound, Zhu spoke highly of the development of the Sino-Maltese relations and the Maltese government's pursuit of the One-China principle.

China and Malta, always sympathizing with and supporting each other in world affairs, have cooperated closely in this regard, and the Chinese government is active in developing the friendly relationship with Malta, said the Premier.

Borg, who is in Beijing at the invitation of Chinese foreign minister Tang Jiaxuan, said he held productive talks with Tang Thursday. Since the establishment of formal diplomatic ties between the two countries, bilateral cooperation has been advancing continuously, Borg said, citing the sound political relations between the two countries and their mutual understanding and support in the world arena as well.

Malta will continue to uphold the One-China principle and support China's accession to the World Trade Organization, the foreign minister promised.

Borg said he was pleased that China would set up a cultural center in Malta, believing that this would greatly promote the cultural exchanges between them. Sharing his view, Zhu said relevant Chinese departments would work to expedite the project.