Nicosia: Cyprus-China relations are founded on mutual respect, cooperation, and a shared commitment to sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday evening, thanking Beijing for its longstanding support on the Cyprus problem and stressing that the status quo cannot be the future of Cyprus and its people.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides addressed a reception hosted by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Nicosia to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. He highlighted that 2026 also marks 55 years of diplomatic relations between Cyprus and China. Over the past five and a half decades, political dialogue has flourished, and cooperation has expanded into various fields, forging enduring bonds between the peoples of the two countries.
The President recalled that the relationship was upgraded to a Strategic Partnership in 2021, noting potential growth in trade and investment, with promising prospects in shipping for the two maritime nations. Opportunities in tourism, education, culture, research, innovation, renewable energy, and new technologies could further strengthen ties, bringing universities closer together and creating new business ventures.
President Christodoulides emphasized the political foundation of the relationship as a shared commitment to the fundamental principles of the international order. Since 1971, Cyprus and China have built a relationship based on sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and principles enshrined in the UN Charter, maintaining close cooperation within the United Nations and supporting multilateralism.
He expressed gratitude for China's support of Cyprus' sovereignty and territorial integrity and its contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. He also valued China's principled position on the Cyprus problem and its support for efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement rooted in Security Council resolutions.
The President reaffirmed Cyprus' commitment to the One China Policy and highlighted Cyprus' approach to EU-China relations as guided by dialogue, cooperation, and a rules-based international order. He pointed to scope for cooperation in trade, investment, climate change, and sustainable development during Cyprus' EU Council Presidency.
Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus Yang Yundong noted the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the establishment of the Strategic Partnership as important milestones. He highlighted continued bilateral economic and trade cooperation, with trade in goods reaching a record US$1.44 billion last year, and increasingly close cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges.
The event was attended by Ministers, MPs, and officials, beginning with the entrance of the President and the Chinese Ambassador, and included the playing of national anthems and a presentation of China's history and traditions through a short video, traditional dances, and songs.