Press Releases

The President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, received today, at the Presidential Palace, the Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs of China, Mr Yang Jiechi.

The President held a meeting with Mr Yang Jiechi followed by expanded talks between the delegations of the two countries.

In his welcoming remarks, President Anastasiades said that Μr Jiechi’s visit to Cyprus «is taking place following my telephone communication with His Excellency President Xi Jinping and our Joint Statement of November 30, 2021. 

In this respect, today’s meeting provides us with another opportunity to exchange in-depth views on issues of common interest, including the problems we are facing as regards the sovereignty, and I wish to reiterate that we consider our relations with China of vital importance, as we view the Chinese nation as a strategic partner.

Seizing this opportunity I wish to commend you, Your Excellency, for the effective measures you have implemented and your country’s successful response to the pandemic, under - of course - the wise leadership of President Xi Jinping. 

I would also like to reiterate our sincere gratitude for the medical supplies and the urgently needed goods China have provided us during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to help us contain the virus.

Furthermore, I would like to point out my Government’s close collaboration with the Chinese Embassy, Ambassador Liu Yantao and his team.

I am sure that during our deliberations we shall have tangible results.”

On his part, speaking through an interpreter, Mr Yang Jiechi said, among other things, that “just a couple of days ago, Your Excellency and President Xi Jinping had a telephone conversation to review the progress in China-Cyprus relations and the successful experience in exchanges, cooperation and development between the two sides in various fields over the past 50 years since our two countries established diplomatic ties and Your Excellency and President Xi Jinping jointly decided to elevate our bilateral relations to a strategic partnership. This identified the future course for the next 50 years of the growth of China-Cyprus relations.

The Chinese side stands ready to work with the Cypriot side to actively follow up on the important agreement that Your Excellency and President Xi Jinping reached to deepen and solidify our strategic partnership so that it can play a positive role in our respective development and prosperity.

China believes that all countries have equal sovereignty. China has always believed it is important to properly handle the Cyprus issue in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Our COVID-19 response our two countries have supported each other.

We believe it is important for the international community to stand united together to fight the COVID pandemic to achieve economic recovery.

We believe that our two sides need to further enhance COVID response cooperation and enhance practical cooperation in the economy and all other fields.

Thank you, Your Excellency, and the Foreign Minister for the support and facilitation you have given to the Ambassador and the Chinese Embassy here and China will continue to support the Embassy of Cyprus in China as well.”

(RM/MG)