- Foreign Minister Frendo proposes to launch talks on a reciprocal Visa Facilitation Agreement between Malta and China and on mutual recognition agreement for degrees and qualifications.
- Foreign Ministers agree to meet for regular political consultations
- Grant of Lm125,000 given to Maltese Government as expression of friendly relations
- Operating Lease Agreement signed between Maltese Government and Nuctech Co. Ltd. for the provision of mobile scanner for Customs Department to assist in the fight against fraud and illicit trafficking
In a full day of activities, Malta’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Michael Frendo on Friday continued his official visit to the People’s Republic of China with official talks with the Chinese Foreign Minister and with co-chairing with the Chinese Vice-Minister for Commerce of the 7th Joint Malta-China Commission on Economic and Trade Affairs. He met with State Counccellor Tang, a member of the leadership of the People’s Republic of China, and also addressed the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) meeting between Maltese businesspersons and Chinese businesspersons. In the evening he hosted a reception for Chinese and Maltese Ministry officials and businesspersons.
Malta’s Minister of Foreign Affairs on Friday morning had official talks with the newly appointed Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr Yang Jiechi. In the meeting, various issues of mutual bilateral interest were discussed as well as issues of multilateral concern such as energy security and affordability, China-EU relations, and illegal migration. Minister Yang said that he had been three times to Malta with various delegations before he took on the appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs and that he knew Malta well and was very impressed by its progress and by its rich history and civilization. Minister Frendo recalled that this was their second meeting since they had met in 1996 during the visit of Premier Li Peng to Malta.
Minister Frendo proposed the opening of negotiations on a reciprocal Visa Abolition Agreement on diplomatic passport-holders as well as a reciprocal Visa Facilitation Agreement for selected categories of Chinese nationals who want to visit Malta. He said that our efforts to increase trade relations between our two countries required facilitation of travel particularly for certain categories such as businesspersons and bona fide students and tourists.
Minister Frendo also proposed to launch talks on an Agreement on mutual recognition of degrees and other educational qualifications. He said that Malta is a destination of excellence for education and that Malta has set itself the target of developing this sector. Minister Frendo explained that Malta was an excellent base for Chinese operators who operated in the region, that is, both in the European Union and its market and in the North African and Middle Eastern markets.
He said that the longstanding and sincere friendship between Malta and China has now acquired a new dimension with Malta’s membership of the European Union. Talks between the Ministers also touched on EU-China issues and Minister Frendo spoke about Malta’s participation in EU decision making and to Malta’s contribution in issue of importance to the EU-China relationship, emphasising that Malta understood issue of sensitivity to China and was a long-standing friend. In this regard he reiterated Malta’ support for the one China policy and stated, in consequence, Malta would support the China declaration in the OIE, the world organisation for animal health, which recognises the representation of China as resting with the People’s Republic of China.
Minister Frendo also noted the increase of Chinese development to Africa and welcomed this approach toward the alleviation of poverty, while highlighting the grave concern which Malta had with illegal immigration particularly in view of the high density of population which Malta has.
Both Ministers agreed to establish close political dialogue on a regular basis in order to focus on issues which are of concern to both countries.
Immediately after this meeting, Minister Frendo led the Maltese delegation in the 7th Session of the Joint Malta-China Economic and Trade Commission. During this session, which was led from the Chinese side by Vice Minister for Commerce, H. E. Yu Guangzhou, an overview of economic and commercial cooperation was presented, the trade figures showing that while tourism remained a challenge for both countries, imports had doubled while exports had tripled over the period coving 2006.
Minister Frendo invited all the 39 members of the business delegation to explain the nature of their business and what they were seeking to do in China, in Malta and in the Mediterranean and European Union region with Chinese businessmen.
He described Malta’s targets for 2015 in particular its seeking regional leadership in sectors such as ICT, where Smart City was in the pipeline, Health, where Chinese medicine was targeted as being on offer in the new Mater Dei hospital, Education, and Financial Services, where Malta sought to become the leading financial services centre. He also discussed the potential for China of Malta’s maritime competitive infrastructure as the basis for distribution and logistics for Chinese companies.
The Chinese Vice-Minister requested Malta’s assistance in the EU concerning the Market Economy Status. Minister Frendo said that Malta favoured free trade and that increased business in the region was beneficial to Malta’s interests. However, this required the development of consensus within the European Union context.
At the end of the Session two agreements were signed. An Operating Lease Agreement was signed between Nuctech Co. Ltd and the Government of Malta totalling 3 million Euros over a contractual period of 8 years. This will allow the Customs Department to make use of the latest technology in carrying out their inspection works in the fight against fraud and the illicit trafficking of narcotic and other substances. The second agreement, signed by the Minister Frendo and the Vice Minister Yu Guangzhou provided a grant equivalent to Lm125,000, to be used in the implementation of projects to be agreed on by both countries.
In the afternoon Minister Frendo opened the Malta–China Business Seminar at the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade attended by over a hundred Chinese business operators. Minister Frendo is leading the largest ever delegation of Maltese businessmen composed of 39 business operators from various sectors of the Maltese economy. The seminar provided businessmen with the opportunity to network with Chinese business operators.
Late in the afternoon, Minister Frendo had talks with State Counsellor, H.E Mr Tang Jiaxuan, former Minister of Foreign Affairs who today forms part of the State Council representing the leadership of the People’s Republic of China. The talks centred around the historical development of Sino-Maltese relations based on mutual respect and equality and the future prospects for translating this close friendship to the benefit of the Maltese and Chinese people. State Councellor Tang thanked Minister Frendo for his support and invited him for further visits to China, emphasising that the vote in favour of the one-China policy in the OIE was greatly appreciated and showed the constant collaboration between the two countries. He indicated that China will look favourably at ways to improve the means of communication and to increase tourism between the two countries.
