On September 28, 2020, the Embassy of China in Cyprus hosted its first-ever online reception for the Chinese National Day, which was broadcasted through the Embassy's Facebook page and had nearly 2,000 views from fans from various social sectors in Cyprus, diplomatic missions and international organizations, as well as local Chinese community and Chinese institutions.
After the solemn national anthems of China and Cyprus, Charge d'Affaires a.i. Mr. Wang Sheng delivered a video message, pointing out that October 1st is the common birthday shared by Cyprus and China. China highly appreciates the solidarity of the two countries in their joint fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and takes pride in being able to assist global anti-pandemic efforts after initial results have been achieved at home, in the results of multiple measures to promote economic recovery and the adoption of a new development pattern called "dual circulation" in which the domestic circulation plays a leading role while the domestic and international circulations remain mutually complementary, as well as in becoming world's first major economy to resume growth. China is confident in finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects on schedule achieve poverty alleviation goals.
Wang said that China is pleased to see that despite the negative influence of COVID-19, China and Cyprus have continued to take steps forward and bilateral cooperation in communication, public transport, culture and education has been ever deepening.In the post-pandemic era of uncertainties, China and Cyprus must firmly uphold solidarity and cooperation, unswervingly expand opening up policy, and constantly advance a community with a shared future for mankind, work together to deal with risks and challenges, promote long-term and stable bilateral relations, unswervingly defend and promote world peace and development, empower multilateralism, say no to hegemonies, oppose the "new cold war" mentality and the idea of "global economic decoupling", neither dance to the beats of others nor connive in any malconduct. As a good friend and partner of Cyprus, China firmly pursues the "One Cyprus" principle and will continue to support Cyprus' efforts to safeguard its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and contribute to a just, reasonable and lasting settlement of the Cyprus Problem based on relevant UN resolutions.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus His Excellenct Nikos Christodoulides sent a video message, in which he warmly congratulated on the 71st anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on behalf of the Cypriot government. Minister Christodoulides spoke highly of the arduous efforts by China and the Chinese people in overcoming challenges in face of the COVID-19, and sincerely thanked China for providing much needed medical equipment to Cyprus in the early stages of the pandemic. Minister Christodoulides commended the high level of China-Cyprus relations, saying that cooperation between the two countries has been expanding and fruitful in many areas, driven by joint efforts in the building of the "Belt and Road Initiative". Cyprus will continue to support the enhancement of Cyprus-China and Europe-China relations in a manner that is mutually beneficial. Cyprus deeply appreciates China's steadfast support and indispensable role in the Cyprus Problem as one of the permanent members of the UN Security Council and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the "One China" policy.
At the online reception, a short documentary "China-Cyprus Friendship As I See It" specially produced by the Chinese Embassy and local Chinese social media in Cyprus was screened for the first time. In this documentary, Chargé d'affaires a.i. Wang Sheng, representatives from the China National Petroleum Corporation Cyprus LNG Terminal Project, local Chinese community and students, and Cypriot students who have studied in China told their personal stories about the friendship between China and Cyprus based on their firsthand experiences of working, living, and studying in Cyprus and China.
A short video entitled "China 2020: Putting People First" was also broadcasted at the reception, which vividly demonstrated China's hard and glorious journey in the fight against poverty and COVID-19 through vivid stories from the Chinese people.
Adding a cultural touch to the reception, the Embassy also screened China's first-ever 3D acrobatics show "The Golden Hooped Rod", a magnificent and glorious remake of the classic Chinese Monkey King saga presented by Nanjing Acrobatics Troupe.
Many viewers relayed the online reception to family and friends, and left heartwarming messages on the Embassy's Facebook page, sending best wishes to the shared birthday of China and Cyprus, cheering for the continuous growth of China-Cyprus relations, and embracing the growing friendship between the two peoples.
