On May 28, 2026, H.E. Zhang Zuo, Chinese Ambassador to Malta, attended and addressed the theme event for the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, titled "Melodies of the Silk Road - A Mediterranean Journey of the Chinese Guqin," held at the Garden of Serenity. Around 100 guests attended the event, including Ms. Charmaine St. John, Mayor of Santa Luċija, and H.E. John Busuttil, Maltese Ambassador to China.

In his remarks, Ambassador Zhang stated that music is the crystallization of mutual learning among civilizations. The melodies of the Guqin, a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, transcend national borders and time to become a shared treasure of humanity. Pointing out that the Chinese and Maltese peoples have always stood in solidarity and supported each other, he noted that the performance by Chinese Guqin artists in Malta—who traveled across mountains and seas to blend classic Chinese and Maltese melodies—serves as both a vivid resonance of the Silk Road spirit in the new era and a magnificent tribute to the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. Ambassador Zhang highlighted that President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Civilization Initiative, which values the inheritance and innovation of civilizations and aims to strengthen international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. He expressed the expectation to work hand in hand with the Maltese side to compose more symphonic movements of friendly cooperation and a shared future.

The guests in attendance enjoyed the Chinese Guqin performance and exchanged views on China-Malta friendship in a warm and harmonious atmosphere.