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The main focus of the Political Section of the Embassy is to foster and further strengthen the existing excellent relations and cooperation between Cyprus and China on bilateral and multilateral issues. The Political Section also relays Chinese views and positions to the Government of Cyprus in Nicosia and analyses and reports on political developments in China.
The political section of the Embassy deals also with the overview and promotion of the bilateral relations of Cyprus with Japan, North and South Korea, Mongolia, Laos and Cambodia.
A wide variety of information on Cyprus’ foreign policy is available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus. The Ministry’s website offers detailed information on general issues of Cyprus’ foreign policy, the Cyprus Question and Cyprus' membership in the EU.
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN CYPRUS AND CHINA:
Bilateral relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the People’s Republic of China are excellent. This has been the result of political trust and mutual respect between the two countries. Official diplomatic relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the People’s Republic of China were established in 1971 while multifaceted cooperation has steadily developed. Cyprus considers China as a close partner in Asia and an indication of the quality of bilateral relations is the fact that, since independence in 1960, all the Presidents of the Republic of Cyprus have visited the People’s Republic of China. The current President of Cyprus, His Excellency Mr. Demetris Christofias, visited China for the first time during the Olympic Games of August 2008 and for the second time, during the 7th ASEM Summit, which took place in October 2008. From the Chinese side, the Foreign Minister, His Excellency, Mr. Yang Jiechi visited Cyprus in January 2010 while in October 2010, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, Mr. Markos Kyprianou, visited China.
Both countries are committed to international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. As a result, both Cyprus and China maintain positions of principle on key international issues. To facilitate the communication between the Governments of the two countries, the Foreign Ministries of the two countries are in close and regular contact through annual political consultations.
The deep commitment to the principles of international law by both countries has naturally resulted in principled positions adopted by Cyprus and China vis-a-vis each other’s issues of national interest.
On its part, Cyprus appreciates China’s principled stance to the Cyprus problem while China equally appreciates Cyprus’ constructive contribution to the enhancement of EU-China relations.
In relation to the Cyprus question, the People’s Republic of China maintains the position that the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus must be respected and that the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions on Cyprus must be implemented. In this context, China supports the efforts of the United Nations Organization to reach a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem through peaceful negotiations, which will lead to a mutually acceptable solution.
In the sector of tourism, the two countries cooperate through the participation in each others’ tourist exhibitions. Each year, approximately 4.000 Cypriots visit China and there is an effort by the Cyprus Tourism Organization to attract more Chinese visitors to Cyprus.
In the area of trade, Cyprus exports an estimated 11.5 million euro worth of goods while China exports to Cyprus an estimated 310.4 million euro worth of goods.
In the sector of education and training, is worth noting that the two countries assist and facilitate each other through the mutual granting of scholarships and training programmes to students and professionals. Cypriot institutions of tertiary education are the chosen destination for approximately 1.000 Chinese students.
Cyprus and China have signed more than 20 bilateral agreements, including in the economic, cultural, maritime, agricultural and tourism sectors.
The bond between Cyprus and China is strong and has lasted through the test of time. Looking into the future, one cannot but recognise that there are ample opportunities for the further enhancement and promotion of the bilateral relations of the two sides, including in the commercial, economic and cultural fields.
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