China will promote cooperation with Malta in sectors of telecommunication, finance, education, health and tourism in a bid to further bilateral ties, Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday.
 
During a meeting with Malta's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tonio Borg, Li hailed the development of bilateral ties since China and the Mediterranean nation forged diplomatic ties in 1972.

He said Malta, as China's important partner in the European Union (EU), could play a positive role in the EU in facilitating trade and investment to boost the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the European bloc.

Borg described the Malta-China ties as "an example of friendly relations between big and small countries." He said his country will strive to promote bilateral ties and the EU-China relations.