On 5th February, the "Happy Chinese New Year Concert 2023" was held at Spazju Kreattiv. H.E. Ambassador Yu Dunhai and Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government of Malta, Dr. Owen Bonnici attended and delivered speeches. More than 100 guests from all walks of life of Malta participated, including MP Dr Farrugia, MP Dr Adami, former foreign minister Dr Trigona, Mayor of Santa Luċija Ms Charmaine St. John, Mayor of Marsaskala Mr Calleja, Chairman of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Mr Camilleri, Chairman of Mediterranean Conference Centre Dr Kenneth Spiteri, teachers and students from the "China Corner" of St. Margaret College Secondary School, etc.
Ambassador Yu first extended New Year greetings to the guests present. He said that the Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival in China. It originated in China, but belongs to the world. It means joy and reunion and has become a “cultural phenomenon" shared by people all over the world. The "Happy Chinese New Year Programme" has been held for 22 consecutive years. It was also celebrated in full swing in Malta and warmly welcomed by the local people. Now, spring Festival has become an important part of the multiculture of Malta, which promoted the mutual understanding and learning between our two peoples.
Ambassador Yu added that since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than 50 years ago, China and Malta have continuously consolidated political mutual trust, increasingly close cultural and people-to-people exchanges and achieved fruitful results in practical cooperation, composing a concerto of mutually beneficial and reinforcing bilateral relations. China and Malta will work together to enrich the relations and continue to play a beautiful tune of the friendship for generations.
Minister Bonnici said that the celebration of a new year is a very joyous event that brings happiness. Notwithstanding that Malta and China are so geographically distant, the two peoples have succeeded to build a strong bond based on the fraternity and frankness that their forefathers have forged together more than fifty years ago. It is these same qualities that are still guiding the two peoples today in this new and different global world. Malta looks forward to carrying out more cultural exchanges and cooperation with China.
At the concert, artists from the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra performed famous pieces of the two countries, presenting a music feast of cultural integration between the east and the west. A reception was also held after the concert. Guests exchanged New Year greetings, praised the great achievements of bilateral relations and wished China-Malta friendship an even brighter future.
