Foreign Minister George Vella had to undergo minor cardiac surgery in Beijing yesterday after falling ill during a visit to China.

Foreign Minister George Vella.

A spokesman said the minister was doing fine and had spoken to his family after the surgery. He added Dr Vella, 73, fell ill when returning to his hotel after an official meeting. The minister remained conscious at all times until he was taken to a Beijing hospital.

“It was a minor cardiac intervention and after leaving the operating theatre he called his family to inform them firsthand. He was told by doctors to rest and is in a room on his own but is doing fine,” the spokesman told the Times of Malta from Beijing.

A government statement said the cardiac intervention took place after doctors consulted Dr Vella.

Dr Vella was visited by a Chinese foreign office official, who delivered the well wishes of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. He spoke by phone with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Nationalist Party leader Simon Busuttil.

It was a minor cardiac intervention. He is doing fine

In the afternoon Dr Muscat tweeted: “Spoke to George Vella, who was taken ill during #Beijing visit. Had minor cardiac intervention. Told me he feels better. Get well soon!” In a statement the PN said Dr Busuttil wished the minister well and a quick return to his job.

The news brought back memories of an incident, also in China, involving President Emeritus George Abela. During a State visit there to inaugurate the Malta trade pavilion in 2010, Dr Abela had slipped and injured his back.

He suffered a hairline fracture in his spine and was brought back to Malta by air ambulance.