CC COVER STORY
“We have taken relations between Malta and China into a new era” – Prime Minister Joseph Muscat
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has told The Commercial Courier that China is committed to investing across many sectors in Malta. The Prime Minister believes that Malta’s relations with China will flourish in various fields – the energy sector, infrastructure, construction, financial services, information and communication technology, bio-technology, research and innovation, public health, air services and tourism, education, culture, sports and much more. Following the signing of a Medium-Term Cooperation plan, Martina Said speaks with the Prime Minister and Economist John Cassar White for their views on what this agreement holds in store.
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ince the beginning of his tenure as Prime Minister, Dr Joseph Muscat appeared steadfast on strengthening Maltese relations with China, which he recently set in stone with the signing of an agreement between the two vastly different countries. Ties with the People’s Republic of China date back to over four decades ago, with Malta being one of the first European countries to establish diplomatic relations with the country in 1972, obtaining considerable economic aid.
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
Last July, the Prime Minister led a delegation to Beijing to sign a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese government. The formal ceremony took place at the Great Hall of the People following a meeting between Premier Li Keqiang and Dr Joseph Muscat, with the two sides agreeing to cooperate in various areas ranging from energy, infrastructure and transportation, to tourism and education. “We have taken relations between Malta and China into a new era,” says Prime
Minister Joseph Muscat. “Building on the historic cooperation that is well established between the two countries, we are now taking it to another level. It is the first agreement of its kind between China and a European state, and comes at a time when most EU countries are seeking stronger commercial and political cooperation. Malta will benefit from investment as well as the technical and management capabilities of the Chinese, while institutions in the financial services sector will be encouraged to operate in each other’s territories.” 17