Christmas market sports Chinese products

VALLETTA — The Christmas market in Malta's southeastern city of Marsa offers locals and tourists alike a chance to experience Chinese culture and taste traditional Chinese food. The market was opened on Tuesday and will last until Dec 23.

Just like most Christmas markets across Europe, the ones in Malta's cities and villages welcome their visitors with festive lights, traditional winter holiday fare and even playgrounds for children.

In the Marsa Christmas market, an eye-catching Chinese cultural corner is this year's new addition.

The China Cultural Centre in Malta decorated its booth with red lanterns and Chinese knots and invites its visitors to learn about traditional Chinese calligraphy. Some of the booths sell Chinese arts and crafts and freshly made traditional Chinese food and drinks.

This is the first time Chinese culture is being presented at the Marsa Christmas market, organizer Charles Margo says.

"We embrace all cultures in this particular market," Margo says.

Julia, 6, wrote her name in both Chinese and English with a Chinese brush with the help of staff from the China Cultural Centre.

Experiencing Chinese culture in the Christmas market is "nice and something new", Julia's father, Peter Psaila, says.

Psaila has not visited China yet, but he expects to travel there with his family.

"People say it's fantastic, great. But for me, this is the first time to taste it," Priscilla Fava, 44, says, while waiting for two cups of "Tapioca Pearls" bubble milk tea together with her daughter.

Fava says she often purchases China-made products. "Quality is good and it's not expensive," she says.

Dragana Margo, 35, says that Chinese food is one of her and her family's favorites.

"I'm very happy that Chinese food has made it into the Christmas market this year. I believe many people here like Chinese food," she says, while purchasing hot steamed and pan-fried buns.

Maltese people will certainly appreciate the chance to experience Chinese culture, art and food here at the market, Marsa city Councilor Dominic Spencer says.

This is the first time for the China Cultural Centre to participate in a local Christmas market event. It is "a good opportunity to popularize Chinese culture and tell Chinese stories," says Yuan Yuan, director of the center.

During the first few days of the Marsa Christmas market, a medical team from the Mediterranean Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine also provides free medical services to the locals.

Dong Xiaoyan, leader of the 18th Chinese Medical Team for Malta at the MRCTCM, says that she and her team will also explain to visitors the importance of traditional Chinese medicine.

Chen Juheng, chairman of the Chinese Community Association in Malta, says that this is the first time his association is involved in a Christmas market event in Malta.

The addition of Chinese elements to this Christmas market will give Maltese people a refreshing experience, and will also help promote cultural exchanges between China and Malta, he says.