Malta's relations with China, 1971-1990

Abstract

This dissertation aims to seek a better understanding of the relations that were established between the Maltese government and the People’s Republic of China in 1972 until the period of 1990. I have long wished to carry out research on this subject because I have always been curious about what impelled the development of such a close relationship between two countries that were so different from each other in every way imaginable, be it size, culture, history, political system, geographical location and much else. I hope that the researched narrative produced in this dissertation will serve to throw more light on a little written-about yet very important topic. I would like to thank all those who supported me throughout this journey since without their support this dissertation would not have been possible. I would like first and foremost take the opportunity to thank my supervisor, Prof. Dominic Fenech for his invaluable guidance supervisor. My gratitude also extends to the rest of the members of the Department of History at the University of Malta, who have helped me acquire the necessary skills throughout my studies. For the past three years they provided their support and responded to my frequent queries. I would like also to express my gratitude to Dr Sceberras Trigona, a former foreign Minister of Malta from 1981-1987, who allocated time to be interviewed and supplied me with detailed and valuable first-hand information. I would like to thank also Mr. Reno Calleja another former cabinet minister and the Chairperson of the Malta - China Association, for his very useful insights, which I found it extremely useful to understand the background of my study. Last but not least, I would like to thank my family since without their support and encouragement this study would not have been possible: my mother Diane, my father Mark and my two sisters, Vanessa and Roana. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my boyfriend Manuel. Without their continuous support in this journey, my academic accomplishment would have been much more burdensome. Furthermore, I would like to acknowledge the patience and help of all members of the National Library of Gozo as well as members at the Melitensia at the University of Malta. Finally, I want to thank also those who, directly and even indirectly, have been of help and assistance in this work and my studies generally.