Once a Chinese minister asked me, "Reno, why do you love China so much?"

My immediate response was, "Because I love Malta more."

Valletta, the capital city of Malta. [Photo/VCG]

He was amused with my answer and replied back, "Reno, China has a marriage of convenience with some countries. But with Malta we have a marriage of love."

Personally, speaking these words encapsulates the description of the unique relationship that exists between Malta and China. It's astonishing how China has always helped Malta without any strings attached. I am proud that for 44 years, I have witnessed and contributed to foster and strengthen this relationship. And it is my great honor to write this article on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malta and China. I will continue to confirm the true meaning of my statement and the Chinese minister's words.

In June 1971, our dynamic and visionary former Prime Minister of Malta, Dom Mintoff was re-elected to power. His main determination as Prime Minister was to turn Malta from an instrument of war into an instrument of peace.

Due to its strategic position, Malta, had been used for thousands of years, from colonials, empires and various other rules to help them dominate the Mediterranean Sea. Starting from the Phoenicians rule, the Roman Empire, the French rule, the Spanish rule, Sicilian Kings, and ending with the British colony. All of them has ruled Malta with one main goal to attack our neighbors and take control of Europe. Even Hitler, which at the peak of his power wanted Malta to defeat the British Colony, as he also realized the importance of the strategic position of this tiny island has on the continents of Europe and Africa.

In 1964, the British rule who colonized Malta for more than 200 hundred years gave independence to Malta. However, although this was a step forward constitutionally, the lungs and heart of Malta remained in the hands of the British. Where all important sectors like the Banks, aviation and maritime connections, communications, broadcasting, the air space and all the important strategic locations in Malta remained under the hands of the British Government. At the same time there was also the NATO, which was firmly entrenched in Malta and had its headquarters here as well. Additionally, the position of the Governor of Malta that represented the Queen of England was occupied by the British. As Mintoff was elected in office he was determined to change all of this, since he believed that Malta should come first always and foremost.