On April 2, 2009, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun met in the Foreign Ministry with a press delegation composed of directors and senior journalists from Malawi’s mainstream media.

Zhai made positive comments on bilateral ties. He said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties over one year ago, China-Malawi relations have taken on a sound momentum for development with frequent high-level exchanges. During Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika’s state visit to China in March last year, the leaders of the two countries discussed major issues on the development of bilateral ties, making overall planning for the friendly cooperation in all areas. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi paid an official visit to Malawi in January this year, reaching together with Malawian leaders a lot of new consensus on promoting in-depth development of bilateral ties.

When talking about bilateral cooperation in all fields, Zhai said China-Malawi trade has been developing rapidly and the exchanges and cooperation between both sides on education, health, sports, journalism and women’s affairs have also taken initial effect. More than one year of diplomatic ties proved that China-Malawi friendly cooperation has brought tangible benefits to both peoples and conforms to the common aspiration and the fundamental interests of the two peoples.

Zhai expressed the hope that the press delegation through this visit will gain a comprehensive understanding of a developing China and introduce a real China to Malawian people, in an effort to build mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples and play a positive role in pushing for healthy, stable development of bilateral ties.

Zhai also briefed on the achievements and experience in China’s three decades of reform and opening up and took questions from the journalists on China’s African aid policy in the context of the global financial crisis.

The delegation members thanked for the warm reception and thoughtful reporting arrangement accorded by the Chinese side. They hoped to obtain a comprehensive understanding about and learn from China’s successful experience of development through this visit and introduce a real China to their people for the benefit of Malawi’s construction.

The press delegation is visiting China at the invitation of the Information Department of the Foreign Ministry. Besides Beijing, they will also visit Shandong and Shenzhen.