Nicosia, June 6th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met here today with Theodora Constantinidou, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus.  

Liu noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 54 years ago, China-Cyprus relations have continued to develop healthily and stably. The two sides have jointly created a model of friendly coexistence between a large and a small country. In 2021, the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two heads of state decided to upgrade China-Cyprus relations to a strategic partnership, which is of great significance to the development of bilateral relations. China firmly supports Cyprus's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and appreciates Cyprus's firm adherence to the one-China principle and support for China's national reunification. China is willing to work with Cyprus to continue to firmly support each other on issues involving respective core interests and major concerns, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in economy, trade, investment, and culture under the framework of the Belt and Road cooperation, and promote China-Cyprus relations for more results, so as to better benefit the people of the two countries.  

Liu said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU), and China and the EU should be committed to promoting a comprehensive strategic partnership. In the face of a turbulent international situation, the two sides should work together to practice true multilateralism, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law, and the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core. Calling Cyprus a good partner of China in the EU, Liu hoped that Cyprus will continue to play an active role in the EU, promote the continued and positive development of China-EU relations, and inject more stability and certainty into the world. The CPC is willing to strengthen exchanges and dialogues with political parties in Cyprus.   

Constantinidou expressed that Cyprus-China relations are based on mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence and abidance of international law, while the friendship between the two sides is close and solid. The Cypriot government and people thank China for the consistent and fair position on the Cyprus problem and firmly adhere to the one-China principle. Next year will be the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cyprus and China. Cyprus hopes to take this opportunity to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, expand cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, shipping, imports and exports, and foster greater development of bilateral relations. Cyprus actively advocates the development of EU-China relations within the EU and is willing to give play to the role of the rotating presidency of the EU next year to advance the development of EU-China relations. The current international situation is turbulent and complex. Cyprus is willing to strengthen multilateral coordination and cooperation with China, facilitate exchanges and dialogues among countries, and jointly respond to global challenges. 

The two sides also had in-depth exchanges of views on international and regional issues.