In January the committee members of the Malta China Friendship Society, led by the President, Mr Reno Calleja, visited the newly refurbished Acupuncture Clinic in Kordin, on the invitation of the Director Dr Ma. 

The members were shown around the clinic and the various treatments carried out daily at the clinic by the doctors were explained.   

A Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy Task Force, consisting of two frigates (Huangshan and Hengshan) and one replenishment ship (Qinghaihu) with a total crew of 787, paid a port visit to Malta between 26th and 30th March 2013 at the invitation of the Armed Forces of Malta. The Task Force was led by Rear Admiral Li Xiaoyan, Deputy Chief of Staff of China's South Sea Fleet and had just concluded a four-month anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden, during which it has provided security escort to thousands of civilian and commercial vessels of various nationalities including Maltese ones.  A welcome ceremony was held in honour of the arrival of the Task Force at the Pinto Wharf of Grand Harbour jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Malta and the AFM. Members of the Malta China Friendship Society had the opportunity to board and view the ships when they were berthed at the Grand Harbour.

Tomb sweeping is regarded as the most important custom in the Qingming Festival from which the name of Tomb-sweeping day is got. Cleaning the tomb and paying respect to the dead person with offerings are the two important parts of remembering the past relatives. Weeds around the tomb are cleared away and fresh soil is added to show care of the dead. The dead person's favourite food and wine are taken to sacrifice to them, along with paper resembling money. This is all burned in the hope that the deceased are not lacking food and money. Kowtow before the tablets set up for the dead are made.  Today, with cremation taking over from burying, the custom has been extremely simplified in cities. Only flowers are presented to the dead relatives and revolutionary martyrs. No matter how respect is shown, good prayers for the deceased are expressed. 

On the 4th April, members of the Malta China Friendship Society and friends attended together with personnel from the Chinese Embassy in Malta led by the H.E. the Chinese Ambassador Cia Jinbiao at the Addolorata Cemetry for the commemorative activity on the tomb of the two Chinese men, who lost their lives during the building of the Red China Dock in 1979.

Malta - China Trade & Economic Forum 2013

A delegation of 18 persons from different provinces in the People’s Republic of China came to Malta to participate in a Trade and Economic Forum, which was organised by the Malta China Friendship Society with the support of HSBC Commercial Banking, the Central Bank and Attard & Co Group.  These delegates came mostly from the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, from People’s Congress Committees and from Chinese Government Offices. The half-day forum took place at the Corinthia Palace Hotel on Wednesday 24^th April 2013 and to which representatives from various constituted bodies, banks, language schools, local councils and business investment companies in Malta attended.  During the Forum the Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business, Dr Chris Cardona and the Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Local Councils, Dr Jose Herrera addressed the audience.

A panel discussed future possibilities of enhancing business and exchanges between Malta and China followed by question time from the floor.  On Thursday 25^th April, the delegation visited Gozo, where it received a very warm welcome by the Minister for Gozo, the Hon. Anton Refalo accompanied by Mayors from different Gozitan local councils.  The Mnarja Folk Group provided a very warm greeting to the delegation at the ferry terminal in Mgarr, with music and flowers and during lunch in Victoria, the Astra Folk Group entertained those present with music and dancing.  The delegation also visited places of historical interest both in Malta and in Gozo. 

A visit by Chinese medical doctors from Shanghai was organised by the MCFS.  During their visit, the delegation toured Mater Dei Hospital as well as the Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine in Kordin.   A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the University of Malta. Through this agreement, the two parties have expressed an interest in establishing bilateral cooperation in the setting up of an education programme leading to a Master Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Culture.   Vice President Professor Liu Ping signed the agreement on behalf of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, while Rector Professor Juanito Camilleri signed on behalf of University of Malta. His Excellency The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China was present at the signing ceremony.

The Chinese Reed Painting Exhibition was inaugurated at the Ministry for Gozo on the 6^th July 2013, on the initiative of Ryan Mercieca, a young Gozitan and committee member of the Malta China Friendship Society, who made the necessary contacts, to bring the exhibition to Gozo.  Chinese Ambassador H.E. Mr Cai Jinbiao together with Minister Dr Anton Refalo opened the exhibition.  It was the Ambassador’s first official visit to Gozo, where he met Minister Refalo and other staff of the Ministry.  Also present were Mr Gu Hongxing, Director of the Chinese Cultural Centre and Mr Reno Calleja, President of the Malta China Friendship Society together with other committee members.  This Exhibition had previously been on show at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Valletta.