BEIJING -- Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao met on Tuesday with George Vella, Malta's foreign minister, pledging to improve bilateral ties.

The two countries always abide by the principle of mutual respect and treat each other as equals, Li said, expressing the hope that the two sides can cooperate more in economy, trade, finance and energy, and organize more people-to-people exchanges.

Vella said Malta attaches great importance to its relationship with China and is willing to make joint efforts with China to deepen political trust and work together in more fields.