Beijing, May 26th—Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, held a video call here today with Averof Neofytou, President of the Democratic Rally of Cyprus.

Song said, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cyprus half a century ago, bilateral relations have maintained sound and stable development, setting an example of friendly relations between large and small countries. At the end of last year, General Secretary Xi Jinping had a phone conversation with President Nicos Anastasiades, during which they jointly announced the upgrading of China-Cyprus relations to a strategic partnership, drawing a new blueprint for the development of bilateral relations. China highly appreciates the firm support of the Cypriot side on the issues concerning China's core interests and is ready to continue to uphold an impartial position and support all parties to strictly comply with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and promote a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem. Cyprus is a good friend and partner of China in Europe. The Chinese side hopes that the Cypriot side will play an active role in promoting the development of China-European Union (EU) relations, and welcomes the Cypriot side's support to and participation in the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping, and hopes to promote the building of a community with a shared future together.

Song said that the CPC and the Democratic Rally of Cyprus have enjoyed a long-term friendship. Under the new situation, the CPC is willing to work with the Democratic Rally of Cyprus to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen strategic communication between the two Parties, enrich the connotation of inter-party exchanges, promote practical cooperation between the two countries, and jointly promote the common values of humanity. At present, China is coordinating epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development, with the fundamentals of China's long-term economic growth remaining unchanged. The long-term stable growth of China’s economy will bring more development opportunities to all countries in the world, including Cyprus. The 20th CPC National Congress will be held in the second half of this year. The entire Party will rally even more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, unite and lead the Chinese people to fully build a modern socialist country and secure the great victory of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

Neofytou said, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cyprus and China, bilateral relations have maintained vigorous development. The Democratic Rally of Cyprus attaches great importance to developing its relations with the CPC, firmly adheres to the one-China principle and appreciates China's objective and impartial position in international affairs. It is hoped that both sides will strengthen friendly exchanges and promote cooperation between the two countries through inter-party channels in the fields including trade, investment, infrastructure, tourism, digital transformation and renewable energy development, and promote the in-depth development of the strategic partnership between Cyprus and China. As an EU member state, the Cypriot side is willing to play a constructive role in promoting dialogue and cooperation between the EU and China, jointly address crises and challenges, and promote world peace and development.

Qian Hongshan, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Liu Yantao, Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus, and others were present.

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