On 6th October 2022, a ceremony was held at St. Margaret College Secondary School in Malta, welcoming Ambassador Yu Dunhai to present President Xi Jinping's original reply letter to Mr Martin Azzopardi and his students of the China Corner at the School. Hon. Clifton Grima, Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation of Malta, Ms Daniela Zammit, Principal of St. Margaret College, Mr Joseph Ellul, Head of St. Margaret College Secondary School, Senior Teacher Mr Martin Azzopardi and his students, Mr Reno Calleja, President of Malta-China Friendship Society, Ms Yuan Yuan, Director of China Cultural Centre in Malta, Pro. Ji Nengwen, Director of the Confucius Institute, Ms Zhang Min, Doctor from the Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Culture at the University of Malta, as well as teachers and students from the school's Chinese classroom, officials from the Ministry for Education of Malta were present.
Ambassador Yu addressed that the teacher and students of China Corner wrote a letter to President Xi Jinping on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malta, and President Xi Jinping warmly replied to the letter, which has become a new much-told story of friendship between the two countries.
In his letter, President Xi Jinping said that he has always been supportive of people-to-people exchanges between China and Malta, which is why he took time to go to the China Cultural Center during his visit to Malta in 2009. Thanks to years of efforts from both sides, the China Corner of St. Margaret College Secondary School has contributed positively to increasing knowledge about China among the Maltese youth and promoting China-Malta friendship. He wishes the China Corner even greater success in the future and welcomes faculty members and students to come to China for exchanges and study.
President Xi Jinping pointed out that peace and harmony amongst all states have been a long-held aspiration of the Chinese nation for the World. It is also the cultural root of China’s proposed vision for a community with a shared future for mankind. With this in mind and for the purpose of tackling global development and international security challenges, China has put forward the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, and the Global Security Initiative. It is a concrete step on the part of China to galvanize consensus and strength to put the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind into action. This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-Malta diplomatic relations, I hope more teachers, students and young people in Malta will actively engage in bilateral cultural exchanges, promote mutual learning between our civilizations, and carry forward the great tradition of friendship between the Chinese and Maltese people.
Ambassador Yu said that President Xi Jinping's reply fully affirms the positive contribution of the China Corner to promoting friendship and cultural exchanges between the two peoples, and expresses his deep expectation for China and Malta to work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind. It is hoped that the teacher and students of the China Corner will live up to President Xi Jinping's earnest entrustment and continue to be the promoters of mutual learning between the two civilizations and the inheritors of the friendship between the two peoples, so as to bring new vitality to China-Malta friendship.
Ambassador Yu said, Since its establishment 12 years ago, China Corner has carried out a large number of colourful activities, building a bridge of knowledge for the students to understand Chinese history, culture and humanities. The success of the China Corner project is inseparable from the long-standing support and joint efforts of the Ministry, the College and the School, and it is also inseparable from the great dedication of Mr Azzopardi over years. The Chinese embassy is ready to continue to play a role as a link, further strengthen exchanges with the School, and carry out cooperation in the fields of language partner schools, Chinese teaching promotion and so on. At the same time, we welcome faculty members and students of the school to visit China and experience the charm of Chinese culture.
Minister Grima said that President Xi Jinping's reply letter is an acknowledgement of the work by Mr Azzopardi and his students of the China Corner. The two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, we will take this opportunity to promote bilateral educational cooperation and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The China Corner is considered a bridge for the students to understand different cultures. He hopes that Mr Azzopardi and his students at the China Corner will make more achievements.
Mr Azzopardi said that he feels highly grateful and speechless as he cannot believe that the Chinese President found the time to read his humble letter and kindly reply to it personally. This proves the kindness and humility of the Chinese people. He will surely treasure this letter all throughout his life.
Mr Ellul addressed that he would like to show their appreciation to President Xi Jinping for finding the time to appreciate their efforts in promoting the Chinese culture at the school and for his good wishes in continuing with collaboration between the two countries. He is sure that the cooperation initiatives between the Embassy and the school will continue to promote the Chinese culture among their students and consolidate the friendship and understanding between the people of Malta and China, a relationship that has been steadily strengthening for the past 50 years.
Ms Zammit expressed her thanks to all the students of China Corner for their participation and motivation under the guidance of Mr Azzopardi, and she wishes to see more female participants in the China Corner and more love for science, technology and innovation.
The student representative said, upon hearing the wonderful news that Chinese President Xi Jinping sent an appreciation letter, She wants to express her big sense of gratitude and excitement as now the name of the school is known in China. It is so nice to know that the China Corner are so much appreciated even by the President of China.
After the ceremony, Ambassador Yu, accompanied by teachers and students of the school, visited the China Corner and talked with the students. He presented the students with special gifts such as a commemorative envelope for the 50th anniversary and stuffed toys of panda. The China Cultural Center presented some Chinese cultural products to China Corner. One TV in Malta, Xinhua News Agency reported the event.
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In July this year, Mr. Azzopardi and his students of the China Corner of St. Margaret College Secondary School wrote to President Xi Jinping to extend their wishes for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and willingness to keep working on the China Corner project to better promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning between Malta and China.