Medium-Term Cooperation Plan Between Malta and China in the Pipeline
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16 CONSULATE OF MALTA IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2013 FRANK L SCICLUNA - HON CONSUL - FULL OF HISTORY AND CULTURE OF MALTA EMAIL: [email protected] Medium-term cooperation plan between Malta and China in the pipeline Photo: Reuben Piscopo, China’s Prime Minister Li Keqiang and Malta’s Prime Minister Joseph Muscat A medium term plan cooperation plan covering a number sectors between Malta and China was discussed during a meeting between Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang, this morning. The plan includes close collaboration in education, in the services sector as well as in infrastructure. The meeting was held at the Bangchuidao state guest house in Dalian, in China as part of the Prime Minister's visit to this country where he is also attending the Annual Meeting of the New Champions organized by the World Economic Forum. The Maltese Prime Minister said that rather than taking "sporadic initiatives" both sides agreed to plan in advance for the next five years. He added that the proposal to draft a plan as put forward by the Chinese Prime Minister. Dr Muscat said that the draft of this plan will be presented in the coming months."This is not a question of Malta requesting money from foreign countries, but one of investment" said the Prime Minister. He said that the memorandum of understanding signed with China Power Investment is a good example of how Malta can attract strategic partners if it adopts the right attitudeattitude. 1 Six months of Labour Half a year after the Labour Party’s biggest electoral triumph since 1955, Keith Micallef analyses the highs and lows of the Muscat administration. The ‘Malta Tagħna Lkoll’ (Malta belongs to all) slogan was central to Labour’s election manifesto. It emphasised meritocracy, the need for change, civil rights, as well as restoring the party’s traditional left-wing social policies, which had been put on the backburner during Alfred Sant’s leadership. The PL was elected with a mandate to reduce utility tariffs and bound... The Australian Government apologises to Indigenous Australians I move that today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history. We reflect on their past mistreatment. We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations - this blemished chapter in our nation's history. The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future. We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians. We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country. 2 For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry. To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry. And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry. We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation. For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written. We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians. A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again. A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity. A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed. A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility. A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia. On 13 February 2008 the then Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP, moved a motion of Apology to Australia's Indigenous Peoples with specific reference to the Stolen Generations. Where ON EARTH IS MALTA LOCATED? If you ask people "Where is Malta located?", don’t be surprised if you get a blank or confused look. Some people (typically from neighbouring Mediterranean and European countries) have indeed heard of the island of Malta before. But for a lot of people, the island's whereabouts are virtually unknown! At some point in your life, you may have run across or heard someone mention the world famous Maltese Cross. Most likely you would have also heard of the Maltese Falcon novel and movie. But many, fail to make a connection between the popular cross, the movie and Malta. Few usually know the exact location of the Maltese Islands, unless they've visited the islands of course! A large number of non-Europeans are simply clueless about where is Malta and many have not even heard of it. So if asked, they might even reply with another question: "What is Malta?" :) Needless to say though, those who have visited the wonderful Maltese islands will undoubtedly carry with them their fond memories of Malta through all their lives. A map of Central and Southern Europe ... Can you spot where Malta is? 3 Open a world atlas or look for it on a world map on the Internet and you’ll be faced with just a small dot! Yes. That is how small Malta is. Literally, blink an eye and you’ll miss it. Some maps don't even feature the Maltese Islands! This is why those who visit, find the Maltese islands so fascinating! Nobody believes that such a small country can have such a rich and long history. That is, until they’re here, and they experience and “feel” the history of Malta on their skin while strolling along historic paths and streets. The Maltese islands are an archipelago of islands right in the centre of the Mediterranean sea, between Sicily and North Africa. If you're not that familiar with the Mediterranean region, you might want to have a look at our Map of the Mediterranean page for information and maps of the Mediterranean Sea and its countries. The islands are the most southerly country in Europe and consist of Malta, Gozo, Comino, Cominetto and Filfla. The last two islands are uninhabited. Quaint fortified medieval cities will leave you speechless! Malta’s capital city is Valletta. The whole city is a World Heritage Site. If you’re not sure from where to start with your sightseeing, we recommend that you pop by at the Malta Tourist Information Office, right at the entrance of Valletta. You can pick up maps of Malta, brochures, etc while deciding on where to visit next. If you have a look at a map of Malta, you will immediately notice the sheer compactness of the island. Make no mistake though, when you visit, there is so much to see and do here that you’ll be reluctant to leave! Incredibly beautiful churches seemingly "in the middle of nowhere" are a common sight in Malta and Gozo So next time someone asks you "Where is Malta located?" be sure to give the correct answer. Even better, show them a host of photos from your unforgettable holiday in Malta ;-) FEDERATION SQUARE – MELBOURNE, VICTORIA It's increasingly hard to imagine Melbourne without Federation Square. It is home to major cultural attractions, world-class events, tourism experiences and an exceptional array of restaurants, bars and specialty stores, this modern piazza has become the city's meeting place. Since opening in 2002, Fed Square has become one of the most visited attractions in Melbourne with close to 10 million visits in 2012. The Ian Potter Centre: National Gallery of Victoria Australia, presents the history of Australian art from the Colonial period 4 and the Heidelberg School through to contemporary art, as well as a suite of galleries dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) is the first centre of its kind in the world, ACMI celebrates the moving image in all its forms, such as film, television and digital culture. Federation Square host over 2000 events each year, it buzzes with cultural festivals, exhibitions, event launches, performances, forums, films, concerts and fashion shows. Life at Fed Square is so rich that there's sure to be something exciting going on whenever you visit! Taste Melbourne's culinary diversity at one of Federation Square's sixteen diverse restaurants, cafes and bars. From espresso bars and burger grills to Northern Chinese and authentic Australian cuisine, there's something to suit all tastes and budgets. Art-lover, film buff or souvenir hunter, you will love shopping at Fed Square. Federation Square's cultural attractions and bustling event calendar are also supported by a great range of tourism experiences, including guided tours, bicycle hire, Yarra River cruises, sightseeing day tours and free tourism services at the Melbourne Visitor Centre. Sydney Opera House Sydney Opera House from the harbour. Photograph courtesy of Andrew Watt. Sydney Opera House must be one of the most recognisable images of the modern world - up there with the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building - and one of the most photographed.