Official Visit of Chinese Vice Premier of the State Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs

At the invitation of the Hon. Dr. George W. Vella, Deputy PrimeMinister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Environment, H.E. Mr. QianQichen, Vice-Premier of the State Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs ofthe People's Republic of China, will pay an official visit to Malta, from 12 to14 January 1998.

The visit follows the recent visit to China by the Deputy Prime Ministerand is meant to further the particular relations that exist between the twocountries in the political, economic and social fields.

Besides holding official talks with Deputy Prime Minister Vella,Mr. Qian will call on H.E. The President, Dr. Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, and The Hon.Prime Minister Dr. Alfred Sant. Minister George W. Vella together with The Hon.Leo Brincat, Minister of Finance and Trade, The Hon. Karmenu Vella, Minister ofTourism, and The Hon. John Attard Montalto, Minister of Industry and Economic Affairs,will exchange views with the Chinese Vice- Premier, on the furtherstrengthening of cooperation between Maltaand China.The Chinese Vice-Premier will also be calling on the Leader of the Opposition,The Hon. Edward Fenech Adami.

Mr. Qian will visit the Malta Freeport, Malta Drydocks and Gnienis-Serenit'? at Santa Lucia.

During the visit he will be accompanied by hisspouse, Mrs. Zhou Hanqiong.