Friendship society marks Sino-Maltese relations anniversary

The outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Malta, Liu Zhengxiu, was the guest of honour at an activity held by the Malta-China Friendship Society to mark the 35th anniversary since the two countries established diplomatic relations.

Society chairman Reno Calleja presented a commemorative plaque to the ambassador, who reciprocated by giving Mr Calleja a hand-painted ceramic plate.

This was the last public occasion for the two sides to meet officially before Mr Liu relinquishes his post this month.

The activity also marked the beginning of the Chinese New Year.

The ambassador thanked Mr Calleja for the big contribution he and his society made to the strengthening of the relations between China and Malta. Mr Liu remarked that, considering the fact that the society was a voluntary and non-funded organisation, its achievements were indeed commendable and remarkable.

Mr Calleja hailed 2006 as an exceptional year for his society, culminating in the Maltese Food Festival and the Stamp Exhibition held in Guangdong.

He recalled that last year two Maltese children won a bronze award in the Tianjin International Children's Completion and a group of Maltese young dancers from the Msida Dance Centre gave an excellent performance in China. However, in Mr Calleja's view the greatest success achieved by the Malta-China Friendship Society in 2006 was when artist Joseph Barbara, an executive committee member, won the right to qualify for in the 2010 Expo poster competition.