On January 21, Ling Ji, Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative, co-chaired the 11th Session of the China-Malta Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) in Beijing with Christopher Cutajar, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta.

Ling Ji noted that China-Malta economic and trade cooperation has steadily advanced in recent years, yielding substantial outcomes. He emphasized that during the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will remain firmly committed to pursuing high-standard opening up. China stands ready to strengthen strategic alignment with Malta, further tap into cooperation potential, and deepen cooperation in areas such as agricultural trade, shipping, green energy, port logistics, and tourism, so as to promote the sound and sustained development of bilateral economic and trade relations.

Christopher Cutajar underscored that Malta attaches great importance to developing its economic and trade ties with China. He expressed Malta’s hope to further expand exports of Maltese agricultural and fishery products to China and welcomed Chinese investment in Malta. He also conveyed Malta’s willingness to deepen bilateral cooperation in connectivity, culture, tourism, new energy, and other sectors.

Following the meeting, the two sides signed the Minutes of the 11th JETCO session. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation was signed by the Transportation, Port and Waterway Bureau of Yangpu Economic Development Zone of Hainan Province and Malta Freeport.