On September 17, 2023 local time, Maltese President George Vella met with Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi at the presidential palace.

Wang Yi conveyed President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings to President Vella and thanked him for his long-term contributions to promoting the friendship between the two countries. Wang Yi said, thanks to the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Malta relations have enjoyed sustained, sound and stable development. The two countries respect and treat each other as equals, help each other and pursue common development, which has become a model for state-to-state relations. China appreciates Malta's adherence to the one-China principle, its objective and friendly view of China's development, and its understanding and support for China's legitimate propositions. China is willing to work with Malta to continue to firmly support each other, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and jointly usher in the next 50 years of better China-Malta relations.

Wang Yi thanked Malta for facilitating the China-U.S. strategic communication, saying that the Chinese side and the U.S. side had a long discussion on how to stabilize China-U.S. relations, effectively manage differences, explore mutually beneficial cooperation, and shoulder their respective international responsibilities in addressing global challenges. The meeting was comprehensive, in-depth and beneficial.

Vella asked Wang Yi to convey his sincere greetings to President Xi Jinping, saying that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malta and China more than 50 years ago, China has always treated Malta with full respect and equality. The two countries have supported and coordinated with each other, with the development of bilateral relations maintaining good momentum and cooperation in various fields achieving significant results. Malta firmly pursues the one-China policy and looks forward to deepening practical cooperation with China, so as to achieve greater development of bilateral relations. Malta admires China's development achievements, and appreciates China's active diplomacy in safeguarding and promoting peace. Malta is willing to enhance communication and coordination with China on international and regional affairs. Vella welcomes the China-U.S. meeting held in Malta, which brings benefit to the world.

Wang Yi said that China supports Malta's serving as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and welcomes Malta to continue playing a unique role in handling international and regional hotspot issues.

During his visit to Malta, Wang Yi also met with Maltese Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg.