Updated: President George Abela was flown back to Malta this afternoon and immediately transported to Mater Dei Hospital for treatment to injuries he suffered when he fell in his hotel in Shanghai on Friday.

His special Air China A330-200 air ambulance arrived on time at 4 p.m., having taken off 13 hours previously.

Dr Abela was in Shanghai for the opening of the World Expo, which he had to miss because of the accident.

An ambulance waited on the tarmac in front of the ministerial lounge as the large aircraft taxied on the tarmac. Dr Abela was lowered from the plane on a stretcher and taken into the ambulance.

Acting President Anton Tabone greeted the President on the plane, along with Health Minister Joseph Cassar, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg, the Chinese ambassador and members of the President's family.

There was also a small crowd of people behind the perimeter fence, including a girl waving a Maltese flag.

Dr Abela was accompanied on the flight by a four-man Chinese medical team who are accompanying him to hospital.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi visited the President at Mater Dei Hospital in the evening and wished him a speedy recovery and early return to his duties. He also thanked the Chinese government and medical authorities and the Maltese medical staff.