There has been some confusion regarding Sai Mizzi’s employment in China. Weight was given to the fact that she was being paid as much as or even more than an ambassador. Why is her employment being compared to an ambassadorial appointment? Sections of the media are comparing roles when there is no room for such comparison. An ambassador’s role is mainly focused on political matters while I believe her role is mainly a commercial one.

Was there a need for her position?

It is obvious that the exclusive ties with Europe are slightly being loosened to allow a diversity of options including strong ties with the number one country in the world. This wise move has already borne fruit in the form of Shanghai Electric’s investment.

If Malta is to have any commercial connection with China there is need for a commercial person not only in Beijing and Shanghai but in almost each of the 22 provinces. It is not easy to conclude a business deal in this great country. It needs time, several meetings and lots of patience. The Chinese partner needs reassurance. And who can do a better job than a competent Chinese national married to a Maltese minister?

Mizzi was not engaged by the Foreign Ministry but by a commercial parastatal company, Malta Enterprise, and good commercial executives are few and far between. She was not wrong when she said she has the best qualities for the job.

In the commercial field – and Malta Enterprise is definitely a commercial unit – when engaging new employees, the salary is not dictated by government rates of pay but by market ones, unless, that is, one adopts a policy of paying peanuts, which will only attract monkeys.