Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Yu Dunhai
At the “Happy Chinese New Year” Concert & Reception
February 4, 2024
Hon. Minister Owen Bonnici, Minister Jo-Etienne Abela, Minister Stefan Azzopardi,
Members of the Parliament,
Excellencies,
National Authorities of the Maltese Government,
Dear friends,
Fellow Compatriots,
Good evening.
On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Malta, I would like to extend our warm welcome to all of you for honouring us with your presence.
We will usher in the Year of the Dragon in a couple of days. The Spring Festival is the most important festival in Chinese tradition. It is a time of reunion with families, a time to celebrate friendship and a time to reflect on the past and look into the future.
The year 2023 witnessed a resilient and dynamic China, in pursuit of Chinese modernization through high-quality development. Our rebounding economy showed great potential, as China’s GDP totalled $17.8 trillion with a growth rate of 5.2%.
The year 2023 witnessed an open and inclusive China. The success of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and the 6th China International Import Expo has shown that China is committed to not only its own development but also to sharing opportunities with the rest of the world.
The year 2023 witnessed a responsible and accountable China. We facilitated the restoration of Saudi Arabia-Iran diplomatic relations, promoted peace talks in the Ukraine crisis and advocated for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza conflict. The Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping have provided China's solutions to world problems.
The year 2023 also witnessed the strong momentum of China-Malta relations. Our political mutual trust has been consolidated. Last September, China and the US held strategic consultations in Malta, leading to the successful Summit between the two heads of States in San Francisco, which showcases the deep trust placed in Malta and the unique role Malta plays in international affairs. China and Malta have maintained active exchanges in various fields and at all levels. Our Foreign Ministers had mutual visits within 2 months, adding new impetus to the bilateral relations. Fostering a sound relationship with China has long been a cross-party consensus in Malta. The successful visits of the CPC delegation to Malta and the PL delegation to China have promoted our mutual understanding through exchanges.
Our practical cooperation has yielded fruitful results. Under the framework of Belt and Road cooperation, we share market opportunities and achieve mutual development. While Maltese bluefin tuna now finds its way into the biggest market in the world, Chinese customers can enjoy the Mediterranean delicacy without travelling abroad. The Chinese electric vehicles were launched in Malta and provide local customers with more choices. Progress has also been made in such areas as clean energy, green economy, health, education, sports, tourism, etc.
Our cultural and people-to-people exchanges are featured with plentiful highlights. Teacher Martin Azzopardi and his students at the “Science China Corner” from St. Margaret College Secondary School, fulfilled their wish by taking a fabulous trip to China. The invitation came from a reply letter by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2022 and was fully supported by the Maltese government. They are with us tonight. Well done Martin! Chinese artists from Xi’an presented music and dance at the China Garden of Serenity in Santa Lucija to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the China Cultural Center in Malta. We inaugurated the Zheng He Traditional Chinese Medicine Education Centre at MCAST and further explored the potential of our medicine cooperation.
Last but not least, we worked together closely in global affairs. Last November, amid China’s UN Security Council presidency, the Resolution 2712 drafted by Malta was adopted, calling for “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in Gaza”. Our two countries have always stood together in firmly supporting true multilateralism, fighting climate change, and seeking diplomatic solutions to international hotspot issues.
Dear friends,
The year 2024 will be a crucial year for both of our countries, which marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the 60th anniversary of Malta's Independence, the 50th anniversary of Malta as a Republic and the 20th anniversary of Malta's EU membership. Going forward, we stand ready to work together to consolidate our time-honoured friendship, share development opportunities and bring our bilateral relations to a new height.
The key to the robust development of China-Malta relations lies in our mutual respect, equal treatment and win-win cooperation. At a time filled with turbulence and uncertainty, I believe there is a lot to draw from our successful story on how to address global challenges. China's answer is to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
That includes calling for an equal and orderly multipolar world, which means all countries, regardless of their size, strength or wealth, are equal members of the international community, and should jointly engage in decision-making and share their rights and obligations.
That also includes callings for a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. We should accommodate the needs of all countries and properly address the development imbalances. The pie of economic globalization should not only be made bigger but also shared fairly.
Now please allow me to say a few words in Chinese to my fellow compatriots in Malta.
大家晚上好！多年来，旅马侨胞扎根当地，拼搏奋斗，在奋力书写自己成功故事的同时，也为马耳他经济发展作出贡献，为融通中马友谊发挥桥梁作用,在此我谨向大家致以诚挚的敬意。希望各位继续当好两国友好的民间使者，发扬团结互助精神，不断促进中马民心相通。
Dear friends,
The Year of the Dragon is around the corner. The dragon symbolizes good luck, auspiciousness and strength. On this joyous occasion, I wish everyone good health, happiness and lots of smiles. May the Year of the Dragon bring peace and prosperity to our world.
With this, I give the stage to the artists from Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre. They will present us with a marvellous show with Chinese and Western songs. I wish you all a pleasant evening. Thank you!