Cyprus and China should seize opportunity to forge closer ties, says ambassador

China and Cyprus should seize the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations to forge closer, strategic ties, China’s Ambassador to Cyprus Liu Yantao has told the Cyprus News Agency.

The ambassador met President Nicos Anastasiades late last week to discuss the upcoming anniversary and informed him that Chinese companies and communities in Cyprus have been donating and organising events to help rebuild the fire-stricken areas in Cyprus.

In an interview with CNA, Ambassador Liu also conveyed Beijing’s willingness to continue playing a constructive role in facilitating a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement, in line with UN resolutions.

Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the People’s Republic of China were established on December 14, 1971.

“Ten months since I assumed my post as Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus, I increasingly feel that furthering China-Cyprus friendly relations and cooperation is the wide consensus of the leaders and all social sectors of our two countries” he said.

He noted, moreover, that “the strategic guidance of President Xi and President Anastasiades, joint commitment to shared principles and values are the key to the success of our bilateral ties and longstanding friendship.”

According to the Ambassador, in the meeting with Anastasiades they agreed that both countries “should think on the present and look to the future, seize the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic ties to forge closer ties in a strategic manner, by synergizing development plans, jointly building a green, healthy, and digital silk road, creating an alliance of sister cities and museums, and enhancing exchange and cooperation across the board in education, culture, tourism and media, for the best interests of the two countries and peoples.”

He expressed, moreover, his conviction that China-Cyprus ties “will have an even brighter future.”

Asked to comment on the latest developments in the fenced-off part of Famagusta, he said China has been closely following developments and maintains that the announcement of further opening of Varosha made by Turkish and the Turkish Cypriot leader violates Security Council resolutions and increases tensions, which is totally inappropriate and nonconstructive.

Both the Security Council Presidential Statement on Varosha and the resolution for UNFICYP mandate renewal explicitly call on Turkish and Turkish Cypriot leader to immediately revoke all unilateral acts taken on Varosha since October 2020, he added. This, he said, is China’s consistent position as well as the aspiration of the broader international community.

China maintains that the international community should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus, try to encourage relevant parties to narrow differences through dialogue and consultation under the framework of Security Council resolutions for a bi-communal and bi-zonal federation, and continue to create conditions and build momentum for the resumption of negotiations, Liu said.

He also noted that “in order to maintain lasting peace and stability in Cyprus and across the region, relevant parties should fully respect international law and avoid any unilateral acts that may increase tension and confrontation and undermine efforts towards resumption of the talks on the Cyprus problem.”

This year, the two countries mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties. A series of commemorative events is well underway with concerted efforts from both sides.

“China and Cyprus have jointly held the first online forum on governance experience sharing and 50 years of China-Cyprus diplomatic ties. To celebrate our 50th anniversary, the two sides will also hold a photo exhibition, film a documentary on China-Cyprus friendship, release a logo for this special occasion as well as put on a lighting ceremony” he explained.

The two sides will also step up promotion of Cyprus in China via Cyprus’ participation in the 4th China International Import Expo with its first-ever online national exhibit, deepen practical cooperation in various fields under the “Belt and Road” framework, and enhance local-government cooperation and people-to-people friendship by forging more sister cities, launching joint educational programmes and so on.