Liu Yantao: The China-Cyprus trade volume was close to $1 billion last year

China’s Ambassador to Cyprus Liu Yantao said the China-Cyprus trade volume was close to $1 billion last year, with Cyprus’ exports to China increasing by 11.4% year-on-year, as he stressed his country’s relationship with Cyprus has bright prospects and increasingly expanding areas of cooperation.

Asked about the two countries’ bilateral relationship during a recent media workshop in Nicosia, the Ambassador said: “What we have now is a strategic partnership. The China-Cyprus relationship has bright prospects and increasingly expanding areas of cooperation.”

He added that the China-Cyprus trade volume was close to $1 billion last year, with Cyprus’ exports to China increasing by 11.4% year-on-year.

Moreover, the Chinese Ambassador said the two countries have been firmly committed to the One China principle and the One Cyprus principle. “And this is a very important political foundation for the further growth of our strategic partnership and friendship between the two countries,” he added.

Referring to China-EU relations, the Ambassador said that the government and the people of Cyprus have played a very constructive role promoting these relations. “We highly appreciate this and we hope that Cyprus will continue to play such a constructive and positive role,” he noted.

Liu also said that the two countries share the same principles and values and that same or similar positions on major international issues.

He further stressed that China is ready to further strengthen cooperation with Cyprus in digital development, green energy, innovation and tourism.

The Ambassador also underlined the importance of contacts between peoples of the two countries and inter-civilisation exchanges. He said that the two sides will work on the possibility of signing agreements related to culture, youth and other fields.

Liu furthermore noted eight Chinese cities and four Cypriot cities have jointly established the China-Cyprus Sister City Alliance.

Moreover, in his keynote speech at the beginning of the workshop, the Ambassador said that Chinese President Xi Jinping has maintained sound interactions with President Christodoulides. The two countries have always firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, and adhered to the One China principle and the One Cyprus principle, he added.

Concluding, Yantao also noted that Chinese companies have given a strong boost to the green and digital transformation of Cyprus, he added.