On January 6, 2026, H.E. Zhang Zuo, Chinese Ambassador to Malta, met with Mr. Matthew Vella, Permanent Secretary at Ministry for Education, Sports, Youths, Research and Innovation of Malta.

Ambassador Zhang stated that education cooperation is an important component of China-Malta relations. He noted that bilateral cooperation at all levels has been continuously deepened, and there is great potential for collaboration in talent training. Ambassador Zhang highlighted that the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, put forward at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), outline China's commitment to developing globally influential centers for education, science and talent. This will open up new horizons for cooperation between China and Malta in the fields of education, science and technology, and youth. China is ready to work with the Maltese side to continuously deepen friendly relations and consolidate and expand bilateral education cooperation.

Mr. Vella spoke highly of Malta-China relations and reviewed the many practical achievements made in bilateral education cooperation. He expressed that Malta will continue to promote exchanges and cooperation in education, sports, youth, and scientific and technological innovation, and translate the important consensus reached by the two heads of state into tangible outcomes to benefit the two peoples.

The two sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.