On 11th November 2006, Ambassador Liu Zhengxiu receives an interview by China Business Post answering the reporter's questions in terms of Sino-Maltese relations and economic and trade cooperation, etc.

Ambassador Liu says, over the past 35 years since the forging of diplomatic ties, China and Malta have enjoyed sound and stable development of bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect and equality. The two countries share mutual support and cooperation on a wide range of areas, covering politics, trade, economy, culture, education and civil affairs as well as health care, military, science, technology, judicial areas and people to people exchanges. In the past few years, we've witnessed more frequent exchanges of high-level visits. The bilateral trade volume reached $ 610 million within the first 9 months this year, and the Chinese Cultural Center and Traditional Chinese Medical Center have gained great popularity among the Maltese people. Sino-Maltese relations, developed on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, have been lauded as a good example of friendly relations between two countries of different sizes, different social systems and cultural traditions. I believe, as time goes by, the friendly relations and cooperation in all fields will make even greater headway, which I assume represents the common aspiration of the two peoples.

Ambassador Liu reiterates that Sino-Maltese relations have a solid basis with both sides enjoying mutually trusted politics, mutually complementary economies and mutually communicated cultures. However, as Malta is a small country with limited market which has certain restriction on its development and competitiveness also has yet to be enhanced. Now Malta is undertaking adjustment and pushing forward reforms to improve its competitive edge in the international market. We believe through great efforts Maltese economy will witness a great progress. With more and more Chinese enterprises building up their strength and further execution of "going out" policy, we believe that more and more Chinese enterprises will come to Malta to invest and strengthen economic and trade cooperation.

Ambassador Liu introduces that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Malta in 1972, the Chinese government has been providing assistance to Malta within its capability, which facilitated Malta's economic growth and enhanced the friendship between the two peoples. China's generous support has won great appreciation from the Maltese people.

The Chinese Garden of Serenity, built with the assistance of the Chinese government and completed in 1997, has now become a popular resort for the Maltese people and a window for the appreciation of unique Chinese gardens. The No. 6 dry dock constructed during 1975-1980 with a total capacity of 300,000 tons, is not only the largest dock in Malta shipyard, but also one of the largest in the Mediterranean region. This dry dock is kindly called by the local people as "Red Dock", a token of Sino-Maltese friendship. The Chinese Government also provided with Malta Shipyard such facilities as Balance Machine, Frequency Changer, Magnetic Crane, and Stationed Air-compressors, etc. to help upgrade the shipyard technologically.

In spite of substantial growth of Sino-Maltese trade volume, the scale of bilateral economic cooperation is still relatively small, and there is still much potential to be tapped. There is still much room for cooperation in the fields of information, telecommunications, high-tech, infrastructure and tourism etc. We also have large opportunities to work together with Maltese side on its regional advantages to exploit the neighboring market. At present, our two governments have reached consensus to work on these fields so that Sino-Maltese economic cooperation and trade could be enhanced.

With headquarters in Singapore and Hongkong, China Business Post is now composing Chinese economic report for an economics study institution---- Investment Trade Institute(ITI). It will continue to interview Maltese high-ranking officials such as the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Foreign Minister Michael Frendo, Minister for IT & Investment Dr. Austin Gatt, ect. to compose the report named "Malta----Chinese 2007 Mediterranean Partner" , providing reference for Sino-Maltese economic and trade cooperation and investment. The report will be published on China Business Post after it is accomplished.