China. Here it is. Somehow, we all missed it and let it go

Published: January 18, 2013 at 11:44am

When meeting ambassadors to exchange New Year greetings three years ago, Joseph Muscat said (and I quote his own party’s official website):

He then explained how during the next months, the party will be working to renew our relations not only with our European, Mediteranean and African neighbours, but will also be actively dealing with other countries where there is great potential.

One of the countries will be China, a country with which a Labour government started diplomatic relations back in 1972. The Labour Party Leader then explained how in April, together with a delegation of the Labour Party, he will be visiting China, following an official invitation.

Before closing his address, Dr Muscat explained how he is looking forward to discussing the possibilities of collaboration, especially in energy, tourism and education, between China and Malta as this is the way the Labour party wants to develop our attitude in foreign affairs: realistic but ambitious.

– Maltastar, 16 January 2010

Joseph Muscat in China, at a meeting arranged by Alex Sceberras Trigona, in April 2010

Joseph Muscat in China, April 2010

Alex Sceberras Trigona, using his pre 1987 contacts, arranged Joseph Muscat’s visit to China three years ago, and went with him.




16 Comments Comment

  1. Josephine says:

    I bloody well hope that the contents of your post above are one thing which Gonzi will stress upon during tonight’s debate with Muscat on Xarabank, because that is where there’ll be a guaranteed audience from both sides.

  2. Tumas-Muscat says:

    Well, that explains a lot!

  3. Jozef says:

    Wasn’t there a report in the Chinese press that a confidential memo of understanding had been signed between the two parties?

    An expression of interest can be many things.

    • Last Post says:

      Well done, Daphne! I and others I know have forgotten it.

      China is actually investing heavily in Africa, which it hopes to develop into its own strategic political and commercial partner. China must surely remember Mintoff’s Chinese visit immediately after signing the revision-extension of the Defence Agreement with Britain.

      As a result of that visit we got the Red China Dock with lots of Chinese experts and instructors. They probably still think of us as a third-world or at best a developing country.

      This Labour (again) energy plan may well be a repeat of the Red China Dock. It may also well explain the large amount of money being spent by Joseph Muscat and the Labour Party in this electoral campaign.

      Once again, prosit for that fantastic reminder.

  4. H.P. Baxxter says:

    PN is in a quandary here. It cannot criticise MLP’s plans along the lines of China=qamel, because Malta needs China more than they need us, and PN has, in the past, made much of the development aid that Malta receives from the PRC.

    Besides, some of PN’s senior officials have close personal relations with Chinese officials, and one doesn’t badmouth one’s friends. Especially in the Chinese culture.

  5. ciccio says:

    Joseph Muscat should publish the Memorandum of Understanding signed in China during his visit. It must conain all the costings, the technical specifications, the health and safety studies, the environmental impact assessment, the Seveso assessments, and all other technical details.

  6. old-timer says:

    It is perhaps the Chinese who will be building the new Labour-proposed power station. They have enough men and they work like slaves. That is why Joey is so confident that the thing will be built in good time.- The Red China Dock comes to mind

Leave a Comment