President George Abela's condition is slowly improving and he is happy to be back in Malta, having returned from China on Monday and spending a restful night in hospital.

"He is serene. Coming back home helped," a spokesman for the Office of the President said.

Dr Abela injured his back when he slipped on his way to breakfast at a hotel in Shanghai where he was supposed to attend the World Expo opening. He suffered a hairline fracture to his back and requires bed rest.

The Department of Information said the medical team confirmed Dr Abela needed to rest and that the treatment would continue.

The spokesman for the Office of the President said it was not yet known when Dr Abela would be discharged from hospital, where he was transferred after landing in Malta on a special medically-equipped plane provided by the Chinese government.

Health Minister Joe Cassar said the fact that Dr Abela was physically fit should help in his recovery. The President is known for his daily jogs.

"He is being taken good care of and there were no complications," Dr Cassar said.

Speaking at the airport, where he officially thanked the Chinese government for its treatment of the President, Dr Cassar said Dr Abela was yesterday feeling better than he was on Monday.

Four doctors, including the head of orthopaedics at Shanghai's Ruijin Hospital, Zhan Wei Bing, accompanied Dr Abela on the 13-hour flight, together with a representative of the Shanghai mayor and two members of China's Foreign Ministry.

Dr Cassar said the Chinese took excellent care of Dr Abela, something that also underlined the very good relations that existed between the two countries. He presented the four medics with tokens of appreciation.

China's Ambassador to Malta, Zhan Keyuan, said his country's doctors treated Dr Abela "from their hearts".