Your Excellency Dr. Edward Fenech Adami, President of Malta and Madam,

His Honour the Chief Justice Vincent A. De Gaetano and Madam,

Honourable Speaker Louis Galea and Madam,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Evening!

October 1st this year marks the 59th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. It is a great honour for my wife Rufen and I to host this reception the 2nd year in beautiful Malta. I would like to extend my warm welcome and sincere thanks to all of you for your kind presence.

The year 2008 is a very special one to China.

It is a special year because it marks the 30th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up, a historic journey that has transited China from a highly centralized planned economy to a robust socialist market economy, and from a closed and semi-closed country to one that fully embraces the world. 30 years on, China’s GDP saw an average annual growth rate of 9.88 percent and rose to the fourth world economy from the tenth. Its per capita GDP increased from $226 to $2,500. As an integral part of the global economy, China’s development now contributes to over 10 percent of world economic growth and 12 percent of global trade expansion, which generates some 10 million jobs for its trade partners.

It is a special year also because China has both experienced profound grief and joy in the same year. Further to severe snow storm in the beginning of the year in southern China which stranded millions of people, China was hit by the most destructive earthquake over last six decades in May, which has led to over 70,000 people dead and millions homeless. All these misfortunes, however, have on the contrary turned this year into another defining moment for Chinese to demonstrate its cohesiveness and resilience as a nation. Under the guidance of people-oriented concept, the swift, efficient and coordinated emergency response by the Chinese government has effectively brought the whole nation together, which won world wide appraisal. Coupled with it, China has successfully translated its seven year's preparation into an unforgettable Olympics. Featured this year with Green Olympics, Scientific Olympics and People's Olympics, both the Olympics and Paralympics were of equal splendour. The two events have brought about new changes to China. Just as Jacques ROGGE, President of IOC pointed out, "through these Games, the world learned more about China, and China learned more about the world". I would take this opportunity to once again extend my warm congratulations to team Malta for their best ever performance in Olympics in Beijing.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The year 2008 also witnesses an important chapter in the China-EU relations.

Earlier this year, President Barroso led a successful visit to China with an unprecedented company of 9 commissioners. And still to come is the 7th ASEM Summit in Beijing in October and the 11th China-EU Summit in Lyon in December. All in all, over 30 years, despite twists and turns, China-EU relations are now transcending bilateral scope and acquiring more and more global strategic significance. We acknowledge that China and Europe differ in history, culture and stages of development, however, it is all the more important for us to always view and handle relations from a strategic perspective. China cannot achieve its development in isolation of the world. Therefore, China, the largest developing country, will unswervingly pursue a path of peaceful development, a mutually beneficial and win-win strategy of opening up, and make even greater contribution to world peace and common development.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As a traditional friendly country and an EU member, Malta has been regarded as one of our best friends in Europe. I believe that "long term friendship, mutual respect, mutual beneficial cooperation and common development" can be considered as the main features of our relationship. This year we have seen further enhancement of the relations between our two countries.

The two sides signed recently the draft treaty between China and Malta on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters in Beijing. It is exciting to know that for the first seven months of 2008 alone, the bilateral trade volume reaches US $ 800 million, up by 168% over the same period of last year. More companies of our two countries are now actively negotiating on new ways of economic cooperation. As the first China Cultural Center in Europe, this year it has particularly helped foster atmosphere for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue through its activities such as Valletta Chinese Spring Festival, the Voyage of Peace Exhibition and etc. To manifest further strengthening of our educational cooperation, it might be good news for Maltese students that the Confucious Institute is soon to be set up in the University of Malta. And it is more encouraging that a high-level governmental delegation of Malta is to visit Beijing next month and attend the 7th ASEM summit. Such high-level visits, I am confident, would surely uplift our relations to a new high.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Before I conclude, I would also take this opportunity to once again express, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, our heartfelt thanks to the government and people of Malta for their sincere solidarity and generous donation right after the tragic Sichuan Earthquakes in China.

Now may I invite you all to join me in proposing a toast,

to the health of HE President Adami and Madam, and everyone present here this evening,

to the continuous development of China-Malta friendly and cooperative relations,

Nispera u Nowgura li il-Hbiberija li tezisti illum bejn il-poplu Ciniz u il-poplu Malti tkompli tissahhah fis-snin li gejjien.

Cheers!