Beijing, April 22nd—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with a delegation of the Nationalist Party of Malta led by Bernard Grech, Leader of the Nationalist Party of Malta. 

Liu said, since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-Malta relations have maintained sound development, setting a fine example of friendly cooperation between countries of different sizes, social systems and historical and cultural backgrounds. China is willing to work with Malta to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and promote continuous and new progress in China-Malta relations. At present, profound changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the world with multiple risks and challenges intertwined. Political parties should shoulder their responsibilities of the times, lead the world in the right direction and ensure a bright future for mankind. China is willing to work with Malta and other countries to uphold multilateralism and jointly safeguard the international order based on the UN Charter to promote world peace, stability, development and prosperity. China and the European Union (EU) are partners rather than rivals. China supports the EU's strategic autonomy and hopes that Malta will play a constructive role in promoting the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations. The CPC attaches great importance to its relations with the Nationalist Party of Malta and is willing to strengthen political dialogue with the Nationalist Party and other political parties in Malta, deepen exchanges of experience in state governance and administration, and better lead the development of respective countries and better serve the people. 

Grech said, Malta-China relations are based on mutual respect and mutual trust. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972, under the joint efforts of successive Maltese governments and the Chinese side, bilateral relations have enjoyed sound development. Malta and China share extensive common interests and many common ideas. The Nationalist Party of Malta is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the CPC and jointly promote the development of relations between the two countries. The current international situation is full of turbulence, and tariff wars and other factors have brought great uncertainties to the world. However, all countries should maintain confidence and work together to overcome difficulties. As a member of the EU, Malta is willing to actively promote the development of EU-China relations. 

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other international and regional issues.