It is the common aspiration for both the Chinese and Maltese people to develop healthy and lasting relations between the two countries and between their armed forces under the new historical situations, said Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian Tuesday.
While meeting Rupert C. Montanaro, commander of the armed forces of Malta, Chi said he believes that Montanaro's China tour will promote Sino-Maltese relations to a new stage.
Chi, also vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state councilor, said that China and Malta have enjoyed a long history of friendship.
Both countries have the task of safeguarding peace and promoting development, he added.
He said that China and Malta have conducted sound cooperation in the political, economic, trade, and cultural fields. Chi mentioned the Malta visit by Zhang Li, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, in 2000, saying it has promoted exchanges between the two countries in the military field. He said he hopes Montanaro's current China visit will increase mutual understanding and trust.
Chi briefed Montanaro on China's domestic situation and reaffirmed China's principled stance on the Taiwan issue.
Montanaro said that relations between Malta and China and between their armed forces have grown smoothly and exchange of high-level visits has been frequent. M
alta hopes to further the exchange and cooperation with China in all fields, he added. He noted that Malta will as always adhere to the one-China policy.
(Xinhua 06/05/2001)
