VALLETTA, Sept. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- A senior Chinese leader met here Friday Speaker of Maltese House of Representative Anton Tabone on further promoting bilateral ties.

    Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said that China and Malta have steadfastly respected each other and supported each other for 32 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, thus setting up a fine example of two countries with different social systems getting along with friendly.

    Jia extended his congratulation to Tabone on Malta's newly-gained membership of the European Union (EU), saying that the two countries will register even greater development due Malta's role in the EU.

    Tabone said that the ties between Malta and China have developed well and the Maltese parliament hopes to forge a closer relationship with China's National People's Congress and the CPPCC,so as to further enhance bilateral cooperation.

    Jia, who met the Maltese parliamentary leader while in a stopover here, flew here earlier Friday from Austria.

    Jia was on a four-nation trip, which had taken him to the Republic of Korea and Austria, and will take him to Spain and Portugal. Enditem