Roundup: New Chinese ambassador says China attaches great importance to relations with Cyprus

China attaches great importance to developing friendly relations with Cyprus, Huang Xingyuan, China's new ambassador to the eastern Mediterranean island said on Tuesday in presenting his credentials.

Ambassador Huang told Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades at the Presidential Palace that China also appreciated the valuable support from Cyprus on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns.

"Whatever changes may occur internationally or regionally, the Chinese government's policy of maintaining and further strengthening the warm and cordial relations with Cyprus shall remain constant and unchanged," he said.

He added that China was willing to work with Cyprus on building a better future of bilateral ties on the basis of the shared principles of mutual respect and benefit.

Ambassador Huang said bilateral relations had made significant progress over the years and political trust had deepened.

He added that cooperation in the fields of economy, tourism, culture, and education had been pragmatic and fruitful.

He went on to say that the Chinese government and people were closely following the process for reaching an agreement on a Cyprus solution.

"China insists that the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus should be fully respected and supports a just and reasonable settlement of the Cyprus problem based on relevant UN resolutions, as well as all peaceful efforts conducive to resolving the problem," he said.

President Anastasiades congratulated the new ambassador and said Cyprus would continue to work toward further strengthening its relations with China, creating new opportunities for cooperation.

"The conclusion of the pending bilateral agreements between our two countries would be an important step to this end," he added.

Anastasiades said that Cyprus, as a member state of the European Union (EU), considered China as a valuable strategic partner, and an important international and regional player.

"We will continue to support the enhancement of the relations between the European Union and China on the political, economic, and cultural level," he added.

President Anastasiades also said Cyprus encouraged the active engagement between the EU and China on issues of mutual concern, and cooperation in addressing the global challenges aiming to bring prosperity and stability.

Referring to the ongoing negotiations for a Cypriot solution, President Anastasiades said he remained confident that during the current intensified round of negotiating, widely considered to be the last one, it would be possible to bridge the gap between existing differences. Endit