On 17 September 2024, H.E. Liu Yantao, Ambassador of China to Cyprus, held the reception in celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China. The following is the full text of Ambassador Liu’s remarks:

Your Excellency President Nikos Christodoulides,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Kalispera! It gives me great pleasure to join you on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. Today is also the Mid-Autumn Festival, an important traditional Chinese festival. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Cyprus, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all for this double celebration!

Over the past 75 years, the Communist Party of China has led the Chinese people to make huge achievements through hard work. As we have entered the new era, we are following the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and going all out to build a great modern socialist country in all respects and pursue national rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization.

— Today, China is advancing innovation-driven, open, and green development. We are the world’s second largest economy, making the biggest contribution to global growth for many years. We boast all industries in the UN classification. We are quickly fostering new quality productive forces, and have made major progress in areas such as manned spaceflight, lunar and Mars exploration, quantum information, new energy technology, and large aircraft manufacturing.

— Today, China puts people first, and respects their principal role and pioneering spirit. We have eradicated absolute poverty once and for all, bringing moderate prosperity in all respects to the 1.4 billion-plus Chinese people. We have made sustained efforts to advance whole-process people’s democracy. And we have put in place the world’s largest education, social security and health care systems.

— Today, China firmly pursues an independent foreign policy of peace and works to build a community with a shared future for mankind. With a commitment to win-win cooperation, we are promoting the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and implementing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. We advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. We are a force for peace, stability, and progress in the world.

In 2024, despite weak global growth and frequent international trade frictions, we have secured overall stability and steady progress in economic performance. In the first half of the year, China’s GDP grew by 5%, one of the highest among major economies. The added value of high-tech manufacturing increased by 8.7%, making China a world R&D lab. In the first eight months of the year, China’s import and export of goods reached around 3.65 trillion euros, up 6% year on year, including a yearly growth of 1.1% with the EU. The long-term upward trajectory of China’s economy remains unchanged. Investing in China is investing in the future.

Last week, the 2024 Innovation Fair, an international business event, was held in Jiangsu Province of China. It attracted representatives of over 40 companies and institutions from 10 European countries, including Cyprus, Germany and Italy. They explored business opportunities with nearly 400 Chinese companies. Cypriot Ambassador to China Madame Frances Lanitou and I also attended the event, and personally experienced the confidence and expectations of the European business community for strengthening cooperation with China.

A couple of months ago, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee was concluded successfully. This follows the third plenary sessions of the 11th and the 18th CPC central committees, and marks another milestone for China’s reform. At the Session, systematic plans were laid out for further deepening reform across the board and advancing Chinese modernization. Over 300 important reform measures were put forward. They were hailed as “the most ambitious reform plan in the world”.

It was stressed at the Session that opening up is a defining feature of Chinese modernization. We will remain committed to the basic state policy of opening to the outside world. Specifically, we will steadily expand institutional opening up, promote alignment with high-standard international economic and trade rules and harmonize rules, regulations, management, and standards. We aim to create an institutional environment that is transparent, stable, and predictable. This will transform China in a profound manner, and provide new opportunities of win-win cooperation with other countries, including Cyprus.

Friends,

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle once said, “A true friend is a single soul dwelling in two bodies.” China and Cyprus are such true friends that have stood the test of time and challenges. Our profound friendship has never and will never change simply because of any particular incident.

President Xi Jinping and President Christodoulides have attached great importance to and set the direction for the growth of the China-Cyprus strategic partnership. Earlier this month, President Christodoulides visited the Confucius Institute at the Cyprus University of Technology, encouraging teachers and students of the two countries to further enhance cultural and academic exchanges. This has injected new energy to China-Cyprus relations.

Importantly, China and Cyprus have all along firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has continued to play a constructive role on the Cyprus problem, and fully supported its comprehensive, just and lasting settlement on the basis of relevant UN resolutions and under the framework of bizonal, bicommunal federation. Meanwhile, we highly appreciate Cyprus’ firm support on the Taiwan question.

China and Cyprus are geographically far apart with different sizes and systems. Why have the two countries enjoyed such enduring friendship? From my point of view, this is because the long history and civilization have formed the same or similar ways of thinking, principles and values in our countries, and fostered mutual respect, admiration, understanding and affinity between our peoples. And Importantly, China and Cyprus share the same national day, October 1st.

Today’s reception may give us some inspirations. Later, you will see Chinese and Cypriot practitioners give a Taichi performance together, and a student band from the University of Cyprus play Jasmine Flower, or Yiasemi, two famous folk songs of the same name in China and Cyprus. Students from Nanjing and Limassol, two sister cities, have also prepared a painting exhibition for us. These fully reflect the strength, depth and promise of the China-Cyprus friendship. 

Meanwhile, Cyprus, as a member of the EU, has played a constructive role in the growth of China-EU relations. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell recently said that the West needs to recognize the success of the Chinese system and the two sides must be partners. This demonstrates an objective and reasonable understanding of China’s development and China-EU relations.

Indeed, China and Europe are two major forces, major markets, and major civilizations in the world. China always views its relations with the EU from a strategic and long-term perspective, and regards the EU as a priority for its major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and also an important partner for achieving Chinese modernization. China is ready to work with the EU to ensure that our bilateral relations will become more stable and constructive, deliver more mutual benefit and contribute more globally. By working together, China and the EU can and will make even greater contributions to the wellbeing of the two peoples and a stable and prosperous world. 

Friends,

A Chinese poem goes, “As the bright moon shines over the sea, we share this moment together though far apart.” In the Chinese tradition, the Mid-Autumn Festival means family reunion, happy life and social harmony. On this auspicious night, we are here to celebrate the festivals, enjoy the mooncakes and renew the friendship. This reflects the warmth and unity of the China-Cyprus family, and symbolizes the bright future of China-Cyprus relations.

To conclude, I would like to propose a toast:

To the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China,

To the friendship and cooperation between our peoples,

To the health and happiness of our distinguished guests and your families,

Cheers! Thank you!