Backgrounder: Basic facts about Malta

I. Political Relations

China and Maltarelations have al along been developing smoothly and steadily since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1972, as well manifested by two-way high-level visits on a frequent basis. Main Chinese visitors to Malta include President Li Xiannian in 1984, Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Wang Guangying in May 1994, Premier Li Peng in October 1995, Vice Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs Qian Qichen in January 1998, Vice Premier Li Lanqing in April 2000, Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Tian Jiyun in November 2000 and President Jiang Zemin in July 2001. Among the main Maltese visitors to China are Prime Minister Dominic Mintoff (who paid five visits to China in between 1972 and 1984), President Agatha Barbara in 1985, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Guido de Marco in May 1991, President Anton Tabone in December 1991, Prime Minister E. Fenech Adami in June 1994 and in October 2002, Speaker Lawrence Gonzi in May 1996, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for the Environment George W. Vella in September 1997, Vice Leader of the Nationalist Party, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Social Policy Lawrence Gonzi in April 2000, Minister of Foreign Affairs Joe Borg in July 2000, President Guido de Marco in July 2001 and Speaker of the House of Representatives Anton Tabone in July 2002. Minister for Economic Services Josef Bonnici in October 2001 and Minister for Home Affairs Tonio Borg in October 2001.