Born in 1944, Reno Calleja is renowned for his assiduous endeavour to promote Malta internationally, particularly with the People’s Republic of China. He was a founding member of the Malta/China Friendship Society serving as President for a long number of years. He was also instrumental in setting up the Malta/China Chamber of Commerce.
Calleja is held in high esteem and serves as a point of reference with the Chinese Authorities and in particular the People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries in the various Chinese provinces. Through his contacts he was instrumental in bringing about bilateral agreements and joint projects. His most recent achievement was the donation of respirators and masks of the Chinese government to Malta.
Calleja was elected in parliament in 1976 and served recurrently as a Member of Parliament for 20 years. In 1978, he was appointed Malta’s ambassador to the Council of Europe and Chaired the Ministers deputies of the Council of Europe for six months. Between 1981 and 1983, he also served as Minister of Tourism.
He is currently an advisor about Chinese affairs to the Rector of the University of Malta and government representative to the Council of the University of Malta.