The China Cultural Center in Malta hosted a reception on Tuesday to mark its 10th anniversary.

The event was attended by more than 300 guests, including Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella, Education Minister Evatrist Bartolo and former President Ugo Bonnici.

The reception also featured song and dance performances of a troupe from China's northwestern Qinghai province, which become sought after among Maltese as the artists have successfully given shows in the country in the last three days.

Gu Hongxing, director of China Cultural Center in Malta, said the center, the first of its kind in Europe when it was established, has already became an important platform for cultural exchanges between Malta and China.

Chinese ambassador Cai Jinbiao said the center brought China and Malta together despite the distance and differences between the two countries.

Maltese Parliamentary Secretary for Culture Jose Herrera said the two countries will be shortly signing another agreement to enhance cultural cooperation, particularly in the context that Valletta will serve as the European Capital of Culture in 2018.

During the past decade, the China Cultural Center has held more than 1,000 cultural events in Malta, some of which have became hallmark ones.