The Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia has said that the Government wants to develop cultural and commercial ties with China.

These remarks were made at an event to mark Chinese New Year in the presence of HE the Governor, the Consul General of China to London and the President of the Chinese Association of Gibraltar.

The event was also attended by a number of Government Ministers.

Dr Garcia added that the formation of the Association reflected the multicultural nature of society in Gibraltar which was something that the Government valued and of which Gibraltar was rightly proud. He praised the Association for having come such a long way in a relatively short period of time. In reminding everyone that this was the Chinese Year of the Monkey, he also explained that, in the past, packs of Gibraltar macaques had been exported to Germany and to Scotland.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that the Government of Gibraltar was already in discussion with Chinese companies over a number of commercial projects. He recalled the recent successful State Visit to London by the Chinese President and said that Gibraltar too was ready to cooperate on cultural and commercial matters.