Finance
China seeks deeper maritime ties with Malta in Central Mediterranean
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 22, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Quick Summary
China is enhancing maritime ties with Malta, leveraging its strategic location in the Mediterranean as part of the Belt and Road Initiative.
China seeks deeper maritime ties with Malta in Central Mediterranean
Strengthening Maritime Ties
BEIJING, Jan 22 (Reuters) - China is keen to deepen cooperation with Malta in shipping and port logistics, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said on Thursday, eager to leverage the island's strategic location in the Central Mediterranean.
Historical Context of China-Malta Relations
In an economic and trade cooperation meeting in Beijing, the ministry also told representatives from Malta that it was willing to strengthen "strategic alignment" with the country, one of the European Union's 27 member states.
Impact of the Belt and Road Initiative
China and Malta have developed a close relationship since bilateral ties were established in 1972, with Valletta keen to help a major investor country promote relations with the EU, including access to the region's vast single market.
Malta's Position within the EU
Under Chinese President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative to build up global trade routes to China, state-owned and privately held Chinese companies have invested in Malta's infrastructure, including a stake in Malta Freeport Terminals, a major trans-shipment port in the Mediterranean, held by China Merchants Port Holdings.
Malta was one of the five EU nations that voted against imposing tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles in 2024.
(Reporting by Ryan Woo. Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Mark Potter)
Key Takeaways
- •China seeks deeper maritime cooperation with Malta.
- •Malta's strategic location is key in the Mediterranean.
- •The Belt and Road Initiative influences these ties.
- •Malta supports China's access to the EU market.
- •Chinese investments in Malta's infrastructure are significant.
Frequently Asked Questions about China seeks deeper maritime ties with Malta in Central Mediterranean
1What is the Belt and Road Initiative?
The Belt and Road Initiative is a global development strategy adopted by China, aiming to enhance regional connectivity and embrace a brighter economic future through building infrastructure and broadening trade links.