Prime Minister Joseph Muscat last month paid a successful visit to China. A memorandum of understanding for mid-term cooperation between the two countries was signed, laying the groundwork for stronger bilateral relations in various fields in future.

Muscat also attended the Eco-Forum in Guiyang and addressed a ‘Green Silk Road’ sub-forum.

I was inspired by the Prime Minister’s notion that Malta was well poised to be part of the new maritime Silk Road by providing a platform for economic and trade cooperation with Europe and North Africa.

The new Silk Road mentioned by Muscat was a grand proposal raised by President Xi Jinping at the end of last year.

China’s latest vision for deepening international economic and trade cooperation in the context of further domestic reform and opening up is inspired by the ancient Silk Road that traversed the vast Eurasian continent and linked the East and the West through trade, the new Silk Road, both on land and on the sea.

It may help open up new doors for the China-Malta relationship and take it to the next new level. The initiative originated from China’s needs for its own development and its cooperation with the outside world.

China’s opening up over the past 30 years has been more targeted to the east and the developed world.

Today, as we turn around and set our eyes on the direction heading west, we see a big market on the Eurasian continent.

This is a vast region calling for our vigorous efforts to explore, develop and manage.

Covering multiple provinces, autonomous regions and major municipalities in China’s central, western and east coastal regions and being consistent with the country’s regional development strategy, the new urbanisation strategy and the opening up strategy, the new Silk Road will serve as a big booster for the shaping of an all-directional opening China.

On the international dimension, the new Silk Road comes as a highlight of China’s diplomacy in the new era, which aims for stronger cooperation and common development of China and other Eurasian countries.

It focuses on economic cooperation as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges. It relies on existing bilateral and multinational mechanisms between China and other countries and uses existing platforms of regional cooperation that have proved effective.

In the new Silk Road, Mediterranean countries, including Malta, will still be the preferred western point

It foresees no interference in the internal affairs of the countries involved, nor seeks to dominate regional affairs or secure spheres of influence in the region.

The new Silk Road features complete openness in geographical and country-specific reference.

It may trace, but is not limited, to the past Silk Road and all countries along the land and the maritime Silk Roads as well as all friendly neighbours of China can get onboard.

The Mediterranean used to have a vital role in the ancient Silk Road as its western-most end.

For the new Silk Road envisioned by China, Mediterranean countries, including Malta, will still be the preferred western point due to their favorable geographical location.

Strategically located in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta links Europe and North Africa and enjoys excellent relations with China.

For Malta, China is a reliable partner for cooperation with strong investment and technology capabilities.

Now, as China opens up further west and Malta looks increasingly beyond the EU, great opportunities arise for the two countries to enhance cooperation and to jointly benefit from the realisation of the new Silk Road.

China-Malta economic relations have maintained a steady momentum of growth.

The newly signed memorandum of understanding will encourage the two countries to engage in more practical and mutually beneficial cooperation in many fields such as energy and infrastructure.

This will help further consolidate our economic links and put Malta in a better position on the map of the new Silk Road, which is expected to bring great benefits to the island and its people.

I have no doubt that as China and Malta continue to step up their cooperation and work together in joint pursuit of the building of the new Silk Road, this lofty and exciting dream will come true one day.

By then, a greater win-win scenario will be created for both countries and peoples.

The ancient Silk Road will be revived and rejuvenated and a new chapter will be written in China-Malta relations.

Lan Chongxin is Chargé d’Affaires at the Chinese Embassy.