On March 5, 2026, Ambassador Zhang Zuo met with Mr. Herman Grech, Editor-in-Chief of Times of Malta. Mr. Anthony Manduca, print editor of the newspaper, was also present.

Ambassador Zhang stated that this year marks the opening year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan. The ongoing annual "Two Sessions" will review and discuss the draft Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan, drawing a blueprint for China's development over the next five years. As a major media outlet in Malta, Times of Malta provides an important window for the local public to understand China. It is hoped that the media of the two countries will further strengthen interactive exchanges, and promote mutual learning between China and Malta as well as mutual understanding and affinity between the two peoples.

Mr. Grech noted that for more than half a century since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Malta and China have always adhered to mutual respect, and supported each other in multilateral arenas. In recent years, the practical cooperation between Malta and China has yielded fruitful results, attracting widespread attention from Maltese readers. He expressed readiness to strengthen exchanges with the Chinese side to explore cooperation opportunities.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional hotspot issues.