Outgoing Chinese Ambassador Cai Jinbiao paid Parliamentary Speaker Anglu Farrugia a visit this morning as his posting in Malta draws to a close.

Speaker Farrugia thanked Ambassador Jinbiao for his work at enhancing bilateral relations between the People’s Republic of China and Malta. The two men discussed the key events that characterised Sino-Maltese relations over the past years.

Highlights included Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s visit to Beijing in July 2014 and investments by Shanghai Electric and Huawei Technologies.

Dr Muscat’s 2014 visit yielded a memorandum of understanding which pledged greater economic cooperation between the two countries. Shanghai Electric acquired one-third of Enemalta and a majority stake in the BWSC power station, while Huawei and the Maltese government have signed two MOUs concerning IT pilot projects and the creation of an innovation centre.

The Speaker and outgoing Ambassador also highlighted the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, which was strengthened through the visit by a delegation from the National People’s Congress last September, as well as that of the Chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC last month. Chinese Politburo member Guo Jinlong also visited in June 2015. 

Ambassador Jinbiao was accompanied by Minchuan Dong, First Secretary at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malta. Ray Scicluna, Clerk of the House, was also present.