The need to further deepen the strategic cooperation between Nicosia and Beijing was discussed during the visit of a delegation of the House Energy, Trade, Industry and Tourism Committee to China, according to an announcement from the House of Representatives.
The delegation headed by Dr. Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis and including members Averof Neofytou, Costas Costa and Michalis Yiacoumi - paid a visit to China between 3 and 11 January, following an invitation by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Cyprus, Liu Yantao.
During the visit, it said, the Cypriot delegation held a series of “important meetings” in Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu and Suzhou.
“During all the meetings, the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries were underlined on both sides as well as the need to further deepen the strategic cooperation between Cyprus and China in various areas of mutual interest, including tourism, trade, shipping, energy, technology and education,” it added.
The Cypriot delegation held meetings with senior officials of the Ministry of Commerce and the China Chamber of Commerce of Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products. They also met with the Chairman of the Committee on Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation of the National People’s Congress, Lu Xinshe, and with the Vice Chairmen of the Standing Committees of the National People’s Congress of the Jiangsu Province, Zhou Guangzhi, of the Suzhou Province, Houang Jing and of the Shanghai Province, Zong Ming, the press release said.
During the meetings, “the excellent diplomatic and friendly relations between the two countries” were stressed, but also the need to strengthen tourism flows from China to Cyprus, promote further cooperation in the field of higher education and, by extension, the integration of Chinese students into the domestic labour market, to make the most of opportunities for investment in technology parks and centres of excellence, as well as develop cooperation in the shipping sector.
It is also noted that China reaffirmed its firm support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, while the Cypriot side expressed Nicosia’s long-standing commitment to principled positions, especially the “One China” policy, it adds.
While in China, the MPs visited enterprises and technological innovation facilities, as well as places of historic, cultural and educational interest, it said.
(Source: CNA)
