CRI听力：China, Malta Pledge to Enhance Cooperation

During a meeting with Gonzi in Valletta, Xi Jinping says China is keen to work together with Malta to achieve enhanced bilateral cooperation and counter the challenges brought about by the global financial crisis.

Xi Jinping proposed that the two countries should deepen traditional friendly relations, tap the potential for economic and trade cooperation, and expand exchanges in the fields of culture, education, healthcare and tourism. He also expressed the hope that Malta will continue to play an active role in promoting the sound and stable development of relations between China and the European Union.

For his part, Gonzi said the ongoing financial crisis has brought challenges to all countries, and strengthening cooperation between Malta and China will be more important than ever before.
He also said Malta welcomes more Chinese enterprises, tourists and students to visit the country.

Earlier, Xi Jinping also met with Acting Maltese President George Hyzler and Malta's Speaker of the House of Representatives Louis Galea.

Xi Jinping also visited the China Cultural Center in the capital city Valletta. He encouraged the Chinese language learners in the center to help improve cultural communication through language learning.

"You can regard the language as a sort of interest, a tool of cultural exchange. I believe in five years' time, you all can be adept at Chinese. More importantly, I hope you can strengthen the friendly ties between our two countries through Chinese learning."(www.hxen.net)

Established in 2003, the center serves as a functional facility where local people learn, among other things, the Chinese language and martial arts.

Malta was the last leg of Xi Jinping's six-nation tour which also took him to Mexico, Jamaica, Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil.