BEIJING – President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday exchanged congratulatory messages with their Maltese counterparts George Abela and Lawence Gonzi on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Hu said Sino-Maltese ties have been developing steadily, high-level exchanges have been frequent, and political mutual trust has been increasingly strengthened since the forging of official ties 40 years ago. Economic and trade cooperation has been continuously expanded, and cooperation in culture and education has been fruitful, Hu said.
China appreciates Malta's adherence to the one-China policy as well as its stance and efforts to actively promote the development of China-EU ties, Hu said.
He said China is ready to make joint efforts with Malta to boost dialogue and exchanges at various levels, deepen pragmatic cooperation in all fields on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits, and turn the China-Malta ties into a role model for countries of different social systems that can live in peace with each other.
Abela said the close cooperation between Malta and China has been consistently developed and continued to strengthen in the political, economic and cultural fields during the past 40 years.
The bond of friendship, cooperation and mutual respect between the two peoples represents a source of pride for the two countries, Abela said.
The president was confident that Malta and China will further consolidate their existing excellent relations to the mutual benefit of the citizens and wish the relations will serve to promote the universally desired attainment of peace and prosperity among all nations.
On the same day, Wen also exchanged congratulatory messages with Maltese Prime Minister Gonzi.
Wen said the China-Malta relationship has maintained a good momentum of development thanks to joint efforts over the last 40 years.
To further advance the friendly cooperative relationship is in line with the basic interests of the two peoples, Wen said.
He hopes that the two sides could take the celebration of 40th anniversary as an opportunity to increase mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, and push forward their bilateral ties to a new stage so as to benefit the two countries and the two peoples.
Gonzi said Malta and China share a special relationship built on mutual respect and appreciation. – Xinhua
