George Vella taken ill in Beijing

Foreign minister George Vella was taken ill during his official visit to China.

The minister, 73, and the eldest minister in Joseph Muscat's Cabinet, was taken ill and had to have a minor cardiac intervention.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that Vella had been in communication with him, and that he now felt better.

Spoke to George Vella, who was taken ill during #Beijing visit. Had minor cardiac intervention. Told me he feels better. Get well soon! -JM

— Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) July 28, 2015

The government confirmed that Vella had been in touch with his family and the Prime Minister and will be returning home in the coming days.

The Nationalist Party wished the minister a quick recovery. PN leader Simon Busuttil was in contact with both Vella and Muscat.

Vella is a former deputy prime minister, having served in the Alfred Sant government of 1996-1998 as minister for foreign affairs and the environment.

He resigned his position as deputy leader in 2003.