Belgian pianist and composer Jean-Francois Maljean performs at a chamber concert in Attard, Malta, on Nov. 23, 2022. A chamber concert themed "Melody of the Orient" was held on Wednesday night in San Anton Palace, the official residence of the President of Malta in Attard. Hosted by China International Culture Association, the event was co-organized by China Cultural Centre in Malta and the China National Opera and Dance Theater. (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)

The Melody of the Orient chamber concert was held on Wednesday night in San Anton Palace, the official residence of the president of Malta in Attard.

At the concert, Belgium pianists and composers Jean-Francois Maljean and Johan Famaey and the Belart Female String Quartet consisting of Chinese and Belgian musicians played classic pieces as well as new productions from Europe and China, which were warmly welcomed by audiences.

"We should deepen cultural cooperation... effectively resolve differences and contradictions through active communication, so as to narrow the distance between people of different countries and enhance their friendship," said Peng Yijun, political counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Malta.

Reno Calleja, president of the Malta-China Friendship Society, reviewed China's assistance to Malta and the friendship between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972, and said he expects bilateral ties between the two countries to be further strengthened.

Over the past 50 years, cultural exchanges between China and Malta have flourished and played an important role in consolidating friendship between the two countries, said Yuan Yuan, director of the China Cultural Center in Malta.

As part of its Europe tour in 2022, the Melody of the Orient chamber concert has been held in Belgium and France.

Its next and final stop on the tour is scheduled for Luxembourg.