On 28 January 2022, the Chinese Embassy in Cyprus held a Cloud reception for the Year of Tiger through the Embassy’s Facebook account and the official wechat account “WeChat ID: chinaemb_cy”. Ambassador Liu Yantao, President Nicos Anastasiades, and Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth prodrome delivered warm video speeches. The reception was followed by the “Looking back at this Year” micro-video summarizing the series of celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Cyprus, the cloud Spring Festival Gala with the theme of “Tiger to Wind, burning passion in the snow”, the large-scale original acrobatic drama “Tang Ancient Operas” of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and the New Year concert of Nanjing Ethnic Orchestra.
In his speech, Ambassador Liu extended his festive greetings to the Overseas Chinese members, members of the Chinese funded institution as well as the members of PKF and our Chinese students, and extended his sincere greetings to the Cypriot government and people and friends from all parts of the world.
He pointed out that 2021 was the Year of Ox in China. It is also an extraordinary year of hard work and fruitful harvest. For China, 2021 is a year of building on past achievements and forging ahead into the future. The Communist Party of China celebrated its centenary and got off to a smooth start in its 14th Five-Year plan. Looking back at the centenary goal, the Communist Party of China (CPC) united and led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects through self-reliance and hard work. Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), all ethnic groups are forging ahead towards the second centenary goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects.
For the development of China-Cyprus relations, 2021 a year of grate results and important breakthroughs. China and Cyprus celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, marking a new milestone in bilateral friendly exchanges and cooperation.
President Xi with president Nicos Anastasiades, Chairman Li Zhanshu held a video meeting with Speaker Dimitriou, Director Yang Jiechi of the Foreign Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee paid an official visit to Cyprus and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid a transit visit to Cyprus. China-Cyprus relations have been successfully elevated to a strategic partnership relationship.
Summarized the valuable experience in the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the sides, both agree to implement the spirit and consensus, the two heads of state communications continue to focus the principles and values together, firmly support each other’s core interests and major concerns, insist on the equality, fairness and justice and genuine multilateralism, deepening cooperation to build “the silk road”, hand in hand together to promote building community of human destiny.
For Chinese nationals in Cyprus, 2021 is a year of great love and solidarity. In the face of the pandemic and the once-in-a-century forest fire, we have strictly observed the epidemic prevention measures of the Cypriot government, helped each other and donated love to the people of the Island, which fully demonstrated the spirit of sharing a common destiny and great love. The Embassy has worked with all of you through thick and thin to implement the principle of “diplomacy for the people”, promote the inclusion of all Overseas Chinese in Cyprus in the government’s vaccination program, and distribute “Spring Festival bags” to vulnerable groups of overseas Chinese.
Ambassador Liu stressed that the epidemic is still spreading in Europe and the domestic situation is not optimistic. We call on overseas Chinese in Cyprus to remain vigilant and self-disciplined, and to celebrate the Chinese New Year in a way that does not flow or gather together. In a week’s time, athletes from all over the world will gather in Beijing for the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, a celebration of “Higher, Faster, Stronger and United”. In the second half of this year, the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) will be held to map out the future of China’s journey in the new era. We need to work together to create a better external environment for China’s development and stability and inject inexhaustible impetus into the development of China-Cyprus strategic partnership. We wish our great motherland prosperity and strength, our people happiness and well-being, our friendship will continue to grow stronger and stronger, and our Overseas Chinese and friends a happy New Year, good health, prosperous career and a happy family.
In President Anastasiades speech, expressed his warmest greetings to the friendly Chinese people on the occasion of the Chinese New Year. The year 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Cyprus and China. Over the past 50 years, the two countries have successfully established a relationship of mutual trust, respect and understanding and achieved fruitful results in political, economic and social cooperation. Especially with the decision of the two countries to upgrade their close cooperation to a strategic partnership, the year 2022 will be another important milestone in the long – and long-term history of Cyprus traditional friendly relations. The cooperation between China and Cyprus is very active and will continue to be deepened and expanded in all areas in the future. With an eye to the common future of the two countries, China and Cyprus should actively explore new opportunities and further strengthen cooperation. Cyprus sincerely appreciate China for its long-standing principled position on the Cyprus issue and firmly supports Cyprus’ efforts to reach a viable and lasting solution to the Cyprus issue within the framework of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and international law. Cyprus will continue to unswervingly abide by the one-china policy. I believe that the Year of the Tiger will bring harmony to international relations, which is in the interests of both Sides and conducive to the development of Eu-China relations. Today, the world continues to face unprecedented difficulties. We must continue to work closely and in concert to address and overcome global challenges such as COVID-19, climate change and world economic recovery. Finally, I wish the organizing and hosting of the Upcoming Beijing Winter Olympic Games all the best and believe that the Games will be a complete success. I sincerely wish His Excellency President Xi Jinping and the friendly Chinese people good health and prosperity in the Year of the Tiger
Minister Prodrom expressed his great pleasure and sincere friendship to extend warm greetings and best wishes to the Chinese government and people on the occasion of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games and the Year of the Tiger. The relationship between Cyprus and China, which is based on long-standing friendship, is becoming stronger and stronger. The past year has been an important one for both Countries. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between The two countries, President Nicos Anastasiades and President Xi Jinping officially announced the upgrading of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership. The cooperation between the two countries in culture, education and youth has also achieved remarkable results. Beijing will be the first city in the world to host both the Olympic and the Winter Games in 2022. We believe that China will host a truly wonderful sporting event, and through sports cooperation, guide the youth community to carry forward the Olympic spirit and make an important contribution to building a peaceful and better world. Cyprus overcame the multiple challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to once again participate in the world’s biggest sporting event like the Winter Olympics. I wish the Cypriot national team good results and hope its professionalism will inspire more Cypriots to participate in winter sports. Over the years, China has made positive contributions to Cyprusโs social development in education, culture, youth and economy. The year 2022 is the Chinese Year of the Tiger, which symbolizes strength and courage. I wish the Chinese people and all our friends celebrating the Chinese New Year a happy, prosperous and healthy New Year.
A short video titled “Looking Back at the Year” was played at the reception, giving a comprehensive review of the activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Cyprus in 2021, including the telephone conversation between the two heads of state, the video meeting between the two speakers, and the visit of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi to Cyprus. Governing principle politics and plug in the exchange of experience online BBS, the first friendly cup – “in the Chinese bridge” Chinese contest, celebrate the one hundred anniversary of the communist party of China and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the plug in the symposium, in communities’ and Chinese institutions for forest fire disaster relief donation ceremony, FuJian MinJiang college and plug European university cooperation in running schools project launching ceremony, plug in the youth TV BBS, plug in the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and 50 weeks The annual photo exhibition, a series of interviews and documentaries and other colorful celebrations have made the audience deeply feel the warmth, breadth and depth of China-Cyprus friendly relations.
The on cloud Spring Festival Gala with the theme of “Tiger tiger living wind, passion in the ice” has attracted extensive attention and active participation of overseas Chinese and local friends in Cyprus. The Embassy selected 20 performances from a large number of works, including songs, dances and martial arts performances that reflect China’s profound traditional culture, piano and guqin performances recorded at historical sites in Cyprus, dynamic modern dances, and simple and lovely children’s recitations. The best wishes for the Beijing Winter Olympics come from Cypriot athletes, other young athletes and the Internet celebrity “the Greek Sisters”. The program, with a mixture of Chinese and Western formats and contents spanning ancient and modern times, fully demonstrates the yearning of overseas Chinese in Cyprus for their motherland and the deep blessing of friends from all around the world for China-Cyprus friendship. The large-scale original acrobatic drama 100 Operas of Tang Dynasty, produced by Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, embodies the feelings of inclusiveness, mutual learning and blending of ancient and modern cultures in its magnificent scenes. The New Year concert of Nanjing Chinese Orchestra presents the joyful and lively scene of The Spring Festival with the strong musical language of national characteristics and brings the audience joyful artistic enjoyment.
After watching the reception, many Overseas Chinese and local friends in Cyprus expressed congratulations and appreciation to the Embassy. They praised the event for its rich content and excellent production, which enhanced the sense of belonging of overseas Chinese to their ancestral country and deepened China-Cyprus friendship among the people. I also want to thank the Chinese Embassy for its care for the Chinese nationals in Cyprus. As a Chinese, we all feel proud of the achievements of our great motherland. I wish our great country more prosperity in the New Year and the friendship between two countries will continue to grow even stronger.