I. Political Relations

Chinaand Maltarelations have al along been developing smoothly and steadily since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1972, as well manifested by two-way high-level visits on a frequent basis. Main Chinese visitors to Malta include President Li Xiannian in 1984, Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Wang Guangying in May 1994, Premier Li Peng in October 1995, Vice Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs Qian Qichen in January 1998, Vice Premier Li Lanqing in April 2000, Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Tian Jiyun in November 2000 and President Jiang Zemin in July 2001. Among the main Maltese visitors to China are Prime Minister Dominic Mintoff (who paid five visits to China in between 1972 and 1984), President Agatha Barbara in 1985, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Guido de Marco in May 1991, President Anton Tabone in December 1991, Prime Minister E. Fenech Adami in June 1994 and in October 2002, Speaker Lawrence Gonzi in May 1996, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for the Environment George W. Vella in September 1997, Vice Leader of the Nationalist Party, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Social Policy Lawrence Gonzi in April 2000, Minister of Foreign Affairs Joe Borg in July 2000, President Guido de Marco in July 2001 and Speaker of the House of Representatives Anton Tabone in July 2002. Minister for Economic Services Josef Bonnici in October 2001 and Minister for Home Affairs Tonio Borg in October 2001.

II. Trade Relations and Economic-Technological Cooperation

(1) Trade Relations

Recent years have witnessed a rapid increase in the trade between Chinaand Malta. According to statistics from China's General Administration of Customs, the trade volume between Chinaand Maltain 2002 was US$ 295 million, 94.5% higher compared with the corresponding period of the previous year. The bilateral trade volume between January and April 2003 was US$ 84.54 million, 10.7% lower over the same period of the previous year, of which China's export totaled US$ 26.38 million and import US$ 58.13 million, a decrease of 40.7% and an increase of 16.0% respectively compared with the same period of the previous year.

(2) Economic-Technological Cooperation

Ever since the establishment of the diplomatic relations, the economic and technological cooperation between China and Malta on the whole has been: China provided Malta in 1972 a long-term interest free loan of 100 million yuan, facilitating the construction of 7 whole plants and 2 technological cooperation projects, of which the 300000-ton Dry Dock was the largest. In 1985, Chinahelped Maltabuild Marsaxokk Breakwater (funded by Malta), a project which has made great contribution over the years to the maintenance of Malta's free port. In April 1994, the two sides established the MediterraneanRegionalCenterfor Traditional Chinese Medicine. The project provides short and mid-term training courses and runs a traditional Chinese clinic. Premier Li Peng proposed to build a "ChinaGarden" for Maltafor free during the Maltese Prime Minister's visit to Chinain June 1994. Chinapresented 500 willow seedlings to Maltaas a gift. ChinaGardenwas completed in July 1997. Chinagave Malta3 million yuan assistance gratis respectively in the year of 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002.

III. Exchanges and Cooperation in Culture and Education

Ever since the establishment of the diplomatic relations, 24 Chinese art groups have visited Maltaand held exhibitions of paper-cuts, engraved print, arts crafts and photographs, etc., while Maltasent one art group to China. Chinabegan to send students to study in Maltain 1973. Up to now 50 students have studied there. So far, Maltahas sent 3 students to Chinato study Chinese.

IV. Military Exchanges

Chinabegan to accredit military attache to Maltain September 2000. Deputy Chief of the General Staff of Chinese People's Liberation Army lieutenant general Zhang Li visited Maltain October the same year. Commander in chief of the Maltese Armed Forces Brig. Rupert C. Montanaro visited Chinain June 2001.

V. Important Bilateral Agreements

1. Agreement between the Ministry of Public Health of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Health, Care for the Elderly and Family Affairs of the Republic of Malta concerning Co-operation in the Field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (April 1995)(The Agreement was renewed in July 1997)

2. Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Malta on Co-operation in the Fields of Health and Medicine (April 1998)

3. Agreement on Co-operation in the Field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (April 1998 )

4. Agreement on Co-operation in the Field of Tourism between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Malta (May 1998)

5. Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Malta Relating to Civil Air Transport (September 1998)

6. Executive Programme on Cultural Cooperation between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Malta for the Years 1998/2000 (September 1998)

7. Agreement of Co-operation in the Field of Youth between the All-China Youth Federation And the Department of Youth and Sport of Maltafor the Period between 2000 and 2001 (April 1999)

8. Plan of Co-operation in the Fields of Health and Medicine between the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Health of Malta for the Years 1999-2001 (August 1999)

9. Memorandum of Understanding on Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malta (July 2001)

10. Cooperation Agreement between the Foreign Affairs Collegeof Chinaand the MediterraneanAcademyof Diplomatic Studies of Malta(July 2001)

11. Executive Programme on Cultural Co-operation between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Malta for the Years 2001 –2003 (July 2001)

12. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Malta on the Setting up of a Cultural Center (July 2001)

13. Memorandum of Understanding between the National Tourism Administration of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Tourism of Malta on the Implementation Plan for Organized Outbound Travel by Chinese Citizens to Malta (July 2001)

14. Agreement on Cooperation between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Malta against Illicit Traffic in And Abuse of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (October 2001)

15. Plan of Cooperation in the Fields of Health and Medicine between the Ministry of Health of Malta and the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China for the Years 2002-2004 (June 2002)

16. Agreement between the Ministry of Health of Malta and the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of Chinaconcerning Co-operation in the Field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (June 2002)

17. Memorandum on Cooperation between the Ministry of Education of Maltaand the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China(June 2002)

18. Agreement on Science and Technological Co-operation between the Government of Malta and the Government of the People's Republic of China(October 2002)

19. Agreement on Educational Co-operation between the Government of Malta and the Government of China for the period 2002-2005 October 2002)