Your Excellency Dr. Edward Fenech-Adami

President of Malta and Madam,

Excellencies,

Friends,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening!

October 1st is the National Day of China. Today, in this beautiful evening, we are here to celebrate the 58th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. On behalf of my wife Zhang Rufen and colleagues from the Chinese Embassy, I would like to extend our warm welcome and express our sincere thanks to you all for your presence at this reception.

My wife and I came to Malta last April. It is a distinct honor and privilege to represent China in this beautiful and friendly country with unique natural features, particularly at a time when tremendous changes are taking place both in China and Malta.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

In the past year, the Chinese people of all ethnic groups worked hard to push forward economic construction and social construction. China made new achievements in national development and her people's living standards were further improved. China has taken another solid step towards the goal of building a well-off society in an all-round way. China's economy continued to maintain its spectacular performance in 2006 with 10.7 percent growth. With its GDP standing at 2.7 trillion US dollars and foreign trade at 1.76 trillion US dollars by the end of 2006, China ranked No. 4 economy and the 3rd largest trading country respectively in the world. By mid 2007, China's foreign reserve still topped the list by reaching 1.33 trillion US dollars. A high percentage annual growth is also expected in 2007. At the same time, China has taken various actions and measures to save energy, protect environment, improve product quality and food safety, which has also made very positive achievements.

It is true that China is making remarkable progress in economic development, yet she is still a developing country and will remain so for a long time to come. Among her 1.3 billion people, 21 million are still live in poverty. Given the huge population denominator, China's per capita GDP was only 2,042 US dollars, ranking the 112th place in the world. This means we still have a very long way to go and various problems to sort out before we turn our country into a modern country with a prosperous standard of living, a well-protected environment, an advanced culture, and a truly harmonious society. This is why we are following a people-oriented approach and pursuing a scientific outlook on development. China will stick to the reform and opening up policy while bearing the need for efficient social and economic development in mind.

Against the backdrop of accelerating pace of globalization and the undergoing profound and complicated changes in international situation, China's diplomatic efforts are based on safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. The Chinese people will unswervingly pursue peaceful development and a mutually beneficial and win-win opening strategy. We sincerely hope to carry out mutually beneficial cooperation and live in harmony with people across the world to jointly promote peace, development and cooperation as the major theme of our time.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

China and Malta enjoy traditional friendship and close cooperation. The two sides have maintained high level exchange of visits in past years and have been supporting each other in major international affairs, regional issues, and other times of needs. China highly appreciates the Maltese government for its consistent adherence to One China policy. The Chinese government and people have also been rendering support and assistance to the Maltese government and people in their endeavor in developing national economy. I am pleased to note that the total bilateral trade volume reached 830 million US dollars last year. I would say, China-Malta relationship, featured by long-term friendship, mutual respect, mutual support and mutually beneficial cooperation for common development, is a model of friendly relations between countries with different size and social system.

This year is of special significance in Sino-Maltese relations, as it marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. With joint efforts, the friendly relations and cooperation have further developed. We have witnessed more exchanges of visits at different levels and in different areas. Thanks to cooperation from the Maltese Foreign Ministry, the Chinese Embassy could co-host together with the Ministry, for the first time, a commemorative concert and a seminar entitled Malta and China: a Longstanding Relationship--Future Perspectives.

It is worth to recall Honorable Foreign Minister Dr. Michael Frendo's successful and fruitful visit to China last May, during which two agreements were signed. What is also worthy to mention is that a 39-member business delegation, the biggest ever in the history of our relations, went to China with Foreign Minister Frendo. As a result, high-tech companies and food and beverage companies from both countries have started to exploit areas of cooperation and investment. Moreover, there are 11 Maltese government officials having participated in various seminars and human recourses training programs mostly on business and management in China. Besides, many more other Maltese people, either individually or in group, have traveled to China.

Here in Malta we have received the Chinese Communist Party delegation, and delegations from China Customs, China National Committee on Ageing and provincial governments. They all discussed intensively with their counterparts in Malta on ways and means for further enhancement of our bilateral relations and cooperation.

It might be interesting to recall some of the successful cultural exchanges and cooperation, such as 2007 Valletta Chinese Spring Festival, Silent Warriors--Chinese Terracotta Soldiers Exhibition, and many other exhibitions and concerts. In the field of education, a concrete cooperation is in process. I hope and believe that a Confucius Institute will be set up in the University of Malta in near future, and this university is to establish partnership with Xiamen University in China. These interactions are catalyst to mutual understanding and cooperation of both countries.

For healthcare cooperation, the Chinese government has sent a new medical team to the Mediterranean Clinic Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine in succession of the previous one. Some doctors will work in Mater Dei Hospital from December. I think their traditional way of treatment in combination with western medicine will contribute to the healthcare of the local people.

As you may know, a 52-member Maltese delegation including 19 athletes is now in Shanghai participating in the 12th Summer Special Olympics. Let us wish them a pleasant stay in China and every success. I also wish Maltese athletes could make history in the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

As China's Ambassador, I am committed to building stronger ties between China and Malta. During still limited contacts, I have already been overwhelmed by the Maltese people's goodwill for the Chinese people, their eagerness to learn more about China and their willingness to cultivate more links and cooperation with their Chinese counterparts. This is my job and I will work hard towards this end, for which I would also look to you for support and assistance. Let us work together to push forward the Sino-Maltese friendship and cooperation to a new high.

Now may I propose a toast,

To the prosperity of China and happiness of the Chinese people,

To the ever-lasting friendship and even closer cooperation between China and Malta,

To the health of H. E. President Hu Jintao,

To the health of H. E. President Edward Fenech Adami

To the health of all guests present here this evening,

Cheers!