Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met Friday with Maltese Foreign Minister Michael Frendo.

China and Malta have always treated and respected each other on equal footing since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 35 years ago, said Tang.

China-Malta relations have become a model in the world for countries of different social systems to develop friendly cooperation, said Tang.

Tang said China is ready to make joint efforts with Malta to enhance cooperation and exchanges to lift bilateral ties to a new level.

Frendo said Malta appreciates China's consistent development aid, and vowed to further boost trade and investment cooperation with China so as to deepen bilateral traditional friendship.

Frendo said Malta firmly sticks to one-China policy.

Frendo is in China to attend the seventh meeting of China-Malta joint committee on trade and economy, which he co-chairs with Chinese Deputy Commerce Minister Yu Guangzhou.

Source: Xinhua