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 has said, 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.
Addressing 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, President Christodoulides on the evening of 14 September said that 2026 also marks 55 years of diplomatic relations between Cyprus and China.
He said that over the past five and a half decades, political dialogue had flourished, cooperation had expanded into an ever-wider range of fields and enduring bonds had been forged between the peoples of the two countries.
The President recalled that the relationship was upgraded to a Strategic Partnership in 2021, noting that there was further potential in trade and investment, while shipping offered promising prospects for two countries with strong maritime traditions.
He also pointed to opportunities in tourism, education and culture, research and innovation, renewable energy and new technologies, which could bring universities closer together, create new business opportunities and strengthen contacts between young people.
A shared commitment to fundamental principles
President Christodoulides said the political foundation of the relationship was a shared commitment to the fundamental principles of the international order.
Since 1971, he said, Cyprus and China have built a relationship founded on sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, while maintaining close cooperation within the United Nations and supporting multilateralism and its central role in safeguarding peace and stability.
“At a time of profound geopolitical tensions, the principles of the UN Charter must remain the compass that guides our collective action,” he said.
“Sovereignty matters. Territorial integrity matters. International law matters,” he added, stressing that for Cyprus these were not abstract principles but were woven into the country’s history and collective memory.
President Christodoulides expressed sincere gratitude for China’s longstanding support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and for its contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus.
He said Cyprus also valued China’s principled position on the Cyprus problem, including in its capacity as a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, and its support for efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement firmly anchored in the relevant Security Council resolutions and the agreed UN framework.
“The status quo cannot be the future of Cyprus and its people,” he said, adding that the Republic remained fully committed to the resumption of substantive negotiations and to a viable settlement that would enable all Cypriots to live together in a reunited European country, peaceful and prosperous.
At the same time, he reaffirmed the Republic of Cyprus’ firm commitment to the One China Policy, both in bilateral relations and in multilateral fora, describing it as a clear and longstanding position of Cyprus’ foreign policy.
EU-China relations
On EU-China relations, President Christodoulides said Cyprus’ approach was guided by dialogue, cooperation and a rules-based international order, pointing to scope for cooperation in areas ranging from trade and investment to climate change and sustainable development.
He said that during Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of the year, the country worked to strengthen the Union’s international engagement with key partners and would continue to advocate for a constructive and mutually beneficial EU-China relationship.
Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus Yang Yundong said the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Strategic Partnership marked important milestones in bilateral ties.
He said China and Cyprus had consistently supported each other on issues concerning sovereignty and territorial integrity, referring to Cyprus’ adherence to the One China Policy and China’s longstanding position on the Cyprus problem.
The Ambassador said bilateral economic and trade cooperation had continued to expand, with trade in goods reaching a record US$1.44 billion last year. He also referred to cooperation in other fields and to increasingly close cultural, educational and people-to-people exchanges.
He further highlighted Cyprus’ role in relations between China and the European Union and expressed appreciation for its contribution to promoting dialogue and cooperation between the two sides.
The reception was attended by Ministers, MPs and other officials. It began with the entrance of the President and the Chinese Ambassador and the playing of the national anthems of Cyprus and China. A short video presenting China’s history and traditions was screened before the speeches, while the programme also included traditional dances and songs.
(Source: CNA)
