PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER Meeting between Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, David Agius, and Chinese Delegation led by Ji Bingxuan

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, David Agius, held a meeting with a Chinese delegation led by Ji Bingxuan, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 12^th and 13^th National People's Congress (2013–2023) and current President of the Chinese Association for International Understanding.

Discussions during the meeting focused on the long-standing friendship and growing cooperation between Malta and the People's Republic of China. Both sides highlighted the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations and explored avenues for collaboration in areas of mutual interest in particular and specifically to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technological development.

The exchange also touched upon the broader relationship between China and the European Union, underlining the significance of dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding in addressing common challenges and promoting peace, stability, and prosperity.

David Agius and Ji Bingxuan placed particular emphasis on the value of cultural exchanges and people-to-people relations as a cornerstone for fostering trust and deeper understanding between the two countries. They agreed that initiatives promoting cultural dialogue, educational collaboration, and exchange programmes are vital to nurturing stronger ties between the peoples of Malta and China through parliamentary diplomacy.

The meeting served to reaffirm the commitment of both sides to continue working together to enhance friendship, cooperation, and mutual respect in the spirit of shared prosperity and international understanding. In this context, the establishment of a Malta/China Parliamentary Friendship Group can be instrumental to achieve these objectives.