31st January, The Maltese Chinese Chamber of Commerce was officially launched at the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Enterprise. The ceremony was attended by around 100 MPs, businessmen, lawyers, travel agents and industrialists etc. Ambassador Zhang Keyuan attended the launch and made a welcome speech.

Zhang warmly congratulated the launch of the Chamber, commended the rapid trade expanding between China and Malta in the context of global economic downturn and highlighted the signing of the investments and taxation agreements between Malta and China as two very important steps in the right direction to attract more investment from China.

Zhang further introduced the economic situation and investment policy in China and encouraged more private sectors to contribute to the China-Malta economic development "It is said that Maltese businessmen are lone wolves, yet I believe when you get together, Malta will not only have a big heart, but strong muscles, too." The Ambassador concluded.

Mrs Helga Ellul, the president of Maltese-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Reno Calleja, the president of the Malta-China Friendship Society also addressed the meeting. They highly emphasized the importance of Maltese-Chinese trade relations and thanked the Chinese Embassy for its consistent support.

The Maltese Chinese Chamber of Commerce is supported by the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Enterprise and Mizzi Group. A provisional committee consisting of Mr Calleja, Mr Mizzi, Hugh Arrigo, Ian Mizzi and Tony Valvo was set up and entrusted with drawing up a statute, finding suitable premises and establishing the Maltese Chinese Chamber's clear objectives. It was asked to convene another meeting in two months time to elect a committee that would serve for two years.