Opposition leader Simon Busuttil today had a series of meetings in China, with the most important being with the deputy minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Chao.

In a statement, the Nationalist Party quoted Dr Busuttil as saying that 13 agreements between Malta and China were signed in the last legislature, a clear sign that the PN was proud of the good relations fostered over the years between the two countries.

Dr Busuttil said that for these relations to be strengthened, they had to be based on honesty and transparency.

On his part, Mr Wang said he was impressed with the friendship between the two countries and thanked Malta for its role in helping in the evacuation and repatriation of Chinese citizens during the Libya crisis in 2011.

Dr Busuttil also had meetings with Beijing Communist party leader Guo Jinlong and the deputy minister of the International Department Yu Lyping.

Dr Busuttil is accompanied by deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami, Foreign Affairs spokesman Tonio Fenech, PN international secretary Trevor Degiorgio and Dr Busuttil's head of office Matthew Gatt.