On September 30, 2021, on occasion of the 8th National Martyrs’ Day of China, the Chinese Embassy in Malta visited Addolorata Cemetery, and paid tribute to Mr.Xu Huizhong and Mr.Gu Yanzhao, two Chinese engineers who had sacrificed their lives during the construction of the No.6 Dry Dock in the 1970s.
Hon. Minister Clyde Caruana, Director General Martin Spiteri of the Ministry for Finance and Employment, Mayor Charmaine St John and Vice Mayor Frederick Cutajar of Santa Lucija Local Council attended the event.
Ambassador Yu said that we are gathered here today in honour of Mr Xu and Mr Gu. Back in the 1970s, a new chapter in China-Malta relations began thanks to the strategic visions of the leaders of the older generation when China and Malta established diplomatic relations.
While China was still a poor country, the Chinese government decided to help Malta build a 300,000-ton dry dock. More than 800 Chinese experts and technicians came to Malta. Together with Maltese engineers, they overcame numerous difficulties and challenges and successfully completed the building of the dry dock in six years.
The dry dock, the largest in the Mediterranean at that time, was a feat of engineering as well as a monument of the China-Malta friendship. After more than 40 years, the dry dock still plays an important role in the Malta’s economic development and is affectionately referred to as the “Red China Dock” by the locals.
Ambassdor Yu said that during the construction of the dry dock, Mr Xu and Mr Gu made the ultimate sacrifice. Their families decided to let them rest in peace in Malta, where they had lived and worked, for them to witness the completion of the dry dock and the development of the China-Malta friendship.
Ambassdor Yu said that the past four decades have witnessed significant changes in the two countries. China has grown from a poor and backward country to the world’s second largest economy. And Malta, with its sustained robust growth, has become a shining pearl in the Mediterranean.
For 42 years, China-Malta friendship keeps moving forward. The two countries enjoy solid political mutual trust, tangible cooperation and vibrant people-to-people exchanges. The fruits of China-Malta relationship today are the result of the hard work of everyone who devote themselves to the development of our relations.
The contribution of Mr Xu and Mr Gu will always be remembered. Their dedication has also inspired countless people who are committed to the friendship between our two countries.
Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic ties. China is ready to work with Malta to continuously promote bilateral cooperation, so that the friendship between China and Malta can be pass on from generation to generation, and we will usher in an even brighter future for China-Malta relations.
Minister Caruana expressed his gratitude and respect to the two Chinese engineers in his speech. He said that for more than 40 years, the No.6 dry dock has played an important role in Malta's economic development and employment, and has witnessed the friendship between Malta and China.
The two countries are about to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. And the friendship and cooperation between the two countries have been constantly strengthened. Malta and China will continue to promote cooperation in various field to achieve fruitful results and open a new chapter of our relationship.
Ambassador Yu, Minister Caruana and Mayor St John laid remembrance wreaths, and all attendees paid a silent tribute to the two engineers.
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Xu Huizhong (1932-1979), Chinese engineer who came to Malta in 1974 for the construction project of 300,000-ton dry dock. He passed away in an accident during work in 1979, and was awarded the Medal for Service to the Republic of Malta.
Gu Yanzhao (1933-1979), Chinese engineer who came to Malta in 1974 as deputy director of the project of 300,000-ton dry dock. Due to overwork, he died of liver cancer in 1979.