[China and Malawi]
In 2013, the relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Malawi continued to grow smoothly and exchanges and cooperation in various fields further expanded.
The two sides maintained high-level exchanges and enhanced political mutual trust. In March, Malawian President Joyce Banda sent a congratulatory letter to Xi Jinping on his election as Chinese President. In June, President Banda came to China to attend the opening ceremony of the first China-South Asia Expo. Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao and Vice Premier Ma Kai met with her respectively in Beijing and Kunming, Yunnan Province.
Projects undertaken by China in Malawi and practical cooperation between the two sides made steady progress. The Karonga-Chitipa Road and the Malawi University of Science and Technology projects were handed over to Malawi and the National Stadium project was well underway. China aided projects under the FOCAC framework such as elementary schools, well drilling, solar energy and portable batteries were basically completed. Investment by Chinese companies grew in cotton industry, hotels, housing and other fields in Malawi.
Exchanges and cooperation between political parties and in public health, culture, education and other areas made progress. In April, Secretary General of the People's Party Henry Chibwana led a delegation to visit China. In October, Ai Ping, Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, paid a reciprocal visit to Malawi. In October, Malawian Minister of Health Catherine Gotani Hara visited China. In February, the Henan Provincial Art Troupe and local Malawian art troupes attended the "Happy Spring Festival" events held by the Chinese Embassy in Malawi. In August, a delegation from the University of International Business and Economics of China visited Malawi and signed with the University of Malawi an agreement on jointly building a Confucius Institute.
Editor:Yaling
