(March 2, 2026)

Dear Mr. Christopher Cutajar, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Tourism,

Dear Mr. Sharlo Camilleri, Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Animal Rights,

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

As lanterns glow with a thousand lights and the bright moon accompanies us all, tomorrow marks this year’s Lantern Festival, a symbol of fulfillment and brightness. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to you all for your unremitting efforts in promoting China-Malta friendship, and to look forward to the bright prospects of jointly advancing our bilateral relations to a higher level.

First, we should adhere to treating each other as equals, consolidating the "stabilizer" of mutual political trust. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Malta have set a model of international relations characterized by equality between large and small countries. Under the strategic guidance of our leaders, we will further deepen the exchange of experience in state governance, maintain close interactions at all levels, continuously cement mutual political trust, and firmly support each other on issues concerning our respective core interests, so as to open up new prospects for China-Malta friendship.

Second, we should adhere to open development, activating the "new engine" of win-win cooperation. The two sides are continuously tightening the bond of common interests. The successful visit of Mr. Cutajar to China, during which diplomatic consultations and the Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation were held, has achieved more mutually beneficial outcomes. We will strengthen the synergy between Malta's Vision 2050 and the recommendations for China's 15th Five-Year Plan, create new highlights in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, so as to promote the vigorous development of China-Malta relations.

Third, we should adhere to mutual learning between civilizations, building a "bridge of affinity" for people-to-people connectivity. The long-standing friendship between China and Malta has become a paradigm of exchange and mutual learning between countries with different histories, cultures, and social systems. We should enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, deepen cooperation in culture, tourism, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and expand interactions in areas such as education, youth, and sub-national levels to cultivate more fresh forces for China-Malta friendship. We welcome the Maltese side to fully utilize the visa-free policy, injecting fresh vitality into the connectivity between our two nations.

Fourth, we should adhere to global solidarity, pooling "positive energy" for global governance. China and Malta are true partners in supporting multilateralism and free trade. In the face of an international situation fraught with intertwined changes and turbulence, we look forward to strengthening multilateral coordination with Malta and promoting the sound and steady development of China-EU relations. China and the EU should jointly practice multilateralism, uphold the authority of the United Nations, oppose unilateral bullying, resist bloc confrontation, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Friends, Standing at a new starting point in our bilateral relations, let us work hand in hand to advance the high-level development of China-Malta relations with a spirit of mutual respect and trust, a concept of win-win cooperation, a mindset of openness and inclusiveness, and a sense of responsibility for global solidarity.

Finally, may the friendship between China and Malta grow even stronger over time! I wish you all a happy Lantern Festival!

Thank you!