China hopes to strengthen its ties with the European Union when Cyprus assumes the rotating presidency of the bloc in the first half of 2026, despite what it sees as “contradictory messages” from Brussels, senior Chinese Communist Party official Liu Jianchao said on Friday.

Liu, a senior diplomat and politician who heads the party’s international department and previously served in China’s foreign ministry, is currently in Nicosia for a series of high-level meetings.

On Friday, he met separately with President Nikos Christodoulides and House President Annita Demetriou, and spoke at an event at the Leventis Gallery in Nicosia, where he praised the growing trade ties between China and Cyprus under the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative.

Addressing an audience that included the Chinese ambassador to Cyprus, political leaders, academics, business representatives, and members of civil society, Liu noted that “more and more Chinese families are enjoying Cypriot fruit, juice, cheese and wine” as a result of the initiative.

He said the two countries shared mutual understanding and support on core issues. Cyprus reaffirmed its commitment to the ‘One China’ policy last year, while China has played what he called “a constructive role” on the Cyprus problem.

Turning to China-EU relations, Liu pointed out that the European Union currently views China as a partner, a competitor, and a systemic rival — a stance he described as sending “contradictory messages.”

“This upsets the relationship and benefits no one,” he said, urging deeper cooperation across all sectors.

Recent developments in the trade sphere between China and the United States raised concerns within the EU that Chinese products may flood the European market, however the facts did not support this argument, Liu said.

House president Annita Demetriou with Liu Jianchao

“When China’s exports to the US dropped by 4.6 per cent in recent years, Chinese exports to Europe rose by a mere 0.4 per cent,” he pointed out.

He said China and the EU could cooperate more closely in fields such as science, technology, and industrial development, with the goal of promoting free trade and global financial integration.

Liu added that China and the EU share common positions on major global issues, including the fight against poverty and climate change, United Nations reforms, and the pursuit of world peace.

“Let us build trust between China and the EU, with mutual understanding between China and Cyprus as the cornerstone,” he said.

Liu also revealed that during his meetings with government officials and political party leaders in Cyprus, he discussed the potential creation of a formal mechanism for political dialogue.

“Cyprus will assume the rotating presidency of the EU next year. We are depending on you to play a greater role in promoting China-EU relations,” he said.

During his meeting with Demetriou, the two discussed mutual solidarity and the potential role China could play in resolving the Cyprus problem and addressing broader global challenges.

Demetriou assured Liu that Cyprus would work constructively to deepen China-EU relations.

They also exchanged views on expanding bilateral cooperation in areas such as culture, education, agriculture, innovation, and technology.