Chinese communists in Malta to meet MPs for familiarisation talks

Speaker of the House Anglu Farrugia today welcomed Du Qinglin, vice-chairman of the national committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) to Malta in one of a series of stops for a Chinese tour of European states.

Du was in Bulgaria to meet the chairman of the national assembly and strengthen existing ties. Du will be meeting with MPs from both sides of the House in Malta, in the next days.

Du is seeking to strengthen foreign exchanges and promote understanding between the Chinese and EU states.

Du, a law graduate, joined the Communist Party of China in 1966 at 20 years of age, serving in various party roles. In January 2007, he became the chairman of communist party's Sichuan People's Congress and later director of the CPC's United Front Work Department. He is currently a member of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Du was also alleged in US diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks of having resigned abruptly from his roles in 2006, due to his relations with an alleged Taiwanese intelligence operative.