The Chinese Minister of Culture, Cai Wu, is here on a four-day visit at the invitation of Dolores Cristina, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, in the first visit by a Chinese Minister of Culture to Malta.

On Sunday, the five-member delegation was received by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and exchanged views on how to further bilateral relations particularly in the field of culture.

Yesterday, Mr Cai inaugurated an exhibition of Chinese embroidery together with Mrs Cristina at the China Cultural Centre in Valletta.

Most of the works being exhibited come from Suzhou city and Hunan province in south China which are known to be among the "four major hometowns of Chinese embroidery".

Featuring exquisite craftsmanship, immaculate technique and strong aesthetic appeal, the works reflect the level of development of embroidery in China.

During the opening of the exhibition, Zheng Hao, director of the China Cultural Centre, was officially conferred the Honorary Citizenship of Valletta by Alexei Dingli, mayor of Valletta, for his work in enhancing cultural understanding between the Maltese and the Chinese people.

Mr Cai's visit is the last leg of his tour following a visit to Spain. He leaves tomorrow.