As it is the beginning of the New Year, on behalf of the Chinese embassy in Cyprus, I wish to extend festive greetings to the overseas Chinese, and Chinese institutions and students studying in Cyprus. Also I express sincere gratitude to the government and people of Cyprus, as well as to all friends who care about and support the development of China-Cyprus relations.
The year 2019 has been an extraordinary year for both China and Cyprus. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of its founding, China has overcome multiple risks and challenges, maintained steady growth, promoted employment and improved people’s livelihood, and made major breakthroughs in key areas such as science and technology, environmental protection and poverty reduction. China-Cyprus relations have withstood the test of the changing international landscape and have become a model of equal and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries of different sizes, cultural backgrounds and social systems. We are pleased to see that with the successful visits to China by President Anastasiades and speaker Syllouris, as well as the growing cultural and commercial exchanges between the two countries, China and Cyprus have gained a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of each other’s policy positions and also a clearer plan for future practical cooperation.
In 2020, in terms of development and foreign relations, China and Cyprus as countries may both face complex and unpredictable situations and problems as unilateralism and protectionism are continuing to rise, power politics and hegemonic practices are rampant, and uncertainties and destabilizing factors in the regional and international situations are increasing. As the Chinese people often say, we
should be aware of the situation and act accordingly. As good friends, partners and siblings who trust and rely on each other, China and Cyprus should take a long-term view, a confident attitude, a tenacious working attitude with a spirit of solidarity, work together to tackle and defuse risks and challenges, firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and vigorously safeguard world peace, stability, and prosperity. History will prove that right triumphs over power, openness over conservatism, truth over lies, and conscience over brutality.
The year 2020 will also mark the 60th anniversary of Cyprus’s independence. We believe and anticpate, in this special year for the two countries, that there will be increased political mutual trust, expanded pragmatic cooperation with combined requirements and advantages, a deepening of the “One belt, one road” under the framework of the cooperation, and a broader mutually beneficial path, bringing common prosperity, global governance, and promotion of international relations, moving in a more fair and reasonable direction.
To welcome the New Year, the Chinese embassy in Cyprus will hold large-scale cultural performances in Paphos and Nicosia on the evenings of January 14th and 16th. The Chinese Opera and Dance Theatre, a state-level art troupe from Beijing, will present the wonderful modern dance drama “Shifeng”. The overseas Chinese in Cyprus will also hold a spring temple fair and evening party in Limassol on January 18th. We are here to welcome you to celebrate the year of the rat, a symbol of spirituality and vitality.
