China, Malta strengthen political trust, cooperation

China is willing to maintain high-level political mutual trust and enhance coordination with Malta on international affairs, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday during talks with Malta's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Tourism, Ian Borg, in Beijing.

Borg is paying a four-day official visit to China, starting on Sunday.

During the meeting, Wang highlighted the traditional friendship between the two countries and reaffirmed China's readiness to work with Malta to uphold firm commitments on core interests and major concerns.

He called for deeper mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, investment, culture, tourism, science and education.

Wang also highlighted Malta's unique location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, which gives the country strategic importance in advancing its "small country, big diplomacy" approach and playing a positive and distinctive role in safeguarding global peace and stability.

Reflecting on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the European Union this year, Wang underscored that China and the EU have no fundamental conflict of interests.

China is an opportunity, not a challenge, for the EU, he said.

While acknowledging the differences between China and the EU in history, culture, and development stages, Wang stressed that such differences should not lead to confrontation.

As two major forces, two great civilizations and two big markets, China and the EU should understand, respect, and appreciate each other, and view their relationship through the lens of development and mutual benefit to jointly maintain world peace and stability, he said.

Malta places great importance on its relationship with China, Borg said while reaffirming Malta's firm commitment to the one-China principle and expressing readiness to further participate in Belt and Road cooperation.

He also expressed hopes for deeper cooperation across various sectors and welcomed more Chinese tourists to visit Malta.

Borg agreed that the EU and China should be partners rather than rivals and be committed to promoting dialogue and consultation to resolve differences, adding that Malta will continue playing an active role in advancing the EU-China relationship.