Fully Display Youthful Vigor and

Carry Forward China-Cyprus Friendship

Remarks by H.E. Liu Yantao

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China

In the Republic of Cyprus

At the Reception for Team Cyprus to

 Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games

12 July 2023

Professor Panos Razis, President of the Cyprus University Sports Federation,

Mr. Soteris Adamou, Board Member of the Cyprus Sports Organization,

Mr. Andreas Georgiou, Secretary of Cyprus Olympic Committee,

Members of Team Cyprus,

Kalispera! It gives me great pleasure to meet you here, as Chengdu World University Games is coming in just 16 days. At the outset, on behalf of the Chinese embassy in Cyprus, I would like to extend warm welcome to all of you! And I wish you will give outstanding performance, broaden horizon and foster friendship during this trip!

Meanwhile, I feel sad to learn that CUSF has lost an important leader, former President Dr. Michalis Krashias. Our thoughts are with him. I am sure that building on his legacy, the university sports of Cyprus will break new ground.

As you can tell, this room is full of young people. Vigor and vitality is just in the air. Accordingly, our expections for your Chengdu trip could be summed up in one word: vigor.

First, you are expected to display the vigor of athletic sports at the Games. World University Games is a sports event for young people across the world. The upcoming Games in Chengdu will be the first major international sports event held in China since the start of COVID. The government of China, from the central to the provincial and city level, is fully committed to making it a great success.

To ensure the outstanding performance of athletes, Chengdu has, since winning the bid in 2018, built or upgraded 49 venues, bringing all facilities up to international standards. Functions of the athletes’ village have been improved, ensuring sound accommodation for participants around the world. In addition, the 20 thousand volunteers, together with over 1 million local residents registered for volunteer work, will provide warm hospitality throughout the Games.

Without doubt, Chengdu is ready!

Eighteen Cypriot university athletes will join the competition of artistic gymnastics, swimming, athletics, table tennis and judo. You have trained very hard and will shine in the competition. Look forward to seeing your energy and vigor at the Games!

Second, you are expected to experience the vigor of the Chinese civilization during the Games. Sports is a bridge connecting the world and a shared language among the people. In this sense, World University Games is an important platform for integration of civilizations and exchanges between cultures.

China is one of the four ancient civilizations in the world. The Chinese civilization boasts a long history, going on for five thousand years without interruption. Meanwhile, it is brimming with vigor and vitality in the new era. The fine traditional Chinese culture is undergoing creative transformation and development.

Chengdu is a wonderful window on the vigor of the Chinese civilization. Located in Southwest China, it is the capital city of Sichuan Province, with a history of three thousand years. It is a famous tourist destination, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, and the hometown of panda.

During the Games, you will experience various cultural activities. For example, you may visit Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Wu Hou Shrine, Du Fu Thatched Cottage, Jin Sha Site and other historical sites. You may experience Sichuan opera, embroidery and other intangible cultural heritage. You may taste spicy hotpot and other dishes of renowned Sichuan cuisine. And you may play with the lovely panda at the Research Base of Panda Breeding. Through such distinctive local culture, we hope you will feel the vigor and vitality of the ancient Chinese civilization.

Third, you are expected to further strengthen the vigor of China-Cyprus friendship through this trip. The Chinese people believe that friendship is more important than competition. In this sense, your trip will also help strengthen the traditional friendship between our two countries.

Here, let me give you a briefing on the growth of China-Cyprus relations. Our two countries have witnessed 52 years of diplomatic ties since 1971. In 2021, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, President Xi Jinping and then President Nicos Anastasiades agreed to upgrade China-Cyprus relations into a strategic partnership. President Nikos Christodoulides was serving as Foreign Minister at that time and made important contribution to the establishment of the strategic partnership.

Throughout the years, the China-Cyprus friendship has grown from strength to strength. Our two countries are good friends with shared principles and values.

Politically, we have firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns. The one-China principle and the one-Cyprus principle are the solid political foundation of our friendship.

Economically, our bilateral trade volume exceeded US$1.2 billion in 2022, up 34% year on year, hitting a new record. Cypriot products, such as Halloumi, Zivania and juice, are increasingly popular in China.

In addition, our two peoples have been brought closely together. Last year, we held the second China-Cyprus Youth Forum. It intensified the direct contact and mutual understanding between our young people, and planted the seeds of enduring friendship between our countries. We also organized the Collection of China-Cyprus Friendship Stories. From story collection and evaluation to their exhibition and award ceremony, the event lasted for nearly six months and received over 130 vivid friendship stories. It deepened our peoples’ pride in and commitment to our friendship.

Here, I want to share with you one friendship story related to sports. Mr. Kyriacos Kyriacou, a skiing technical officer from Cyprus, participated in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Unfortunately, he became seriously ill in Beijing due to a virus, which was not COVID. The Chinese hosts immediately sent him to hospital, where he received professional treatment and meticulous care. Soon he recovered. He told us that he keenly felt the kindness of the Chinese people and the profound friendship between our two countries.

The China-Cyprus friendship stories are already deeply moving. And future stories need to be written by the young people. It is sincerely hoped that through this trip, you will become envoys of the China-Cyprus friendship. Please record your experience and impressions in Chengdu and share with us when you come back. Let your Chengdu stories add color to our friendship! Let more people understand the vigor and vitality of our friendship!

The slogan of the Chengdu Games is “Chengdu Makes Dreams Come True”. I am confident that this Chengdu trip will be truly unforgettable. I wish you will fulfill sports dreams, cultural exchange dreams and China-Cyprus friendship dreams in Chengdu! Display your youthful vigor! Carry forward the China-Cyprus friendship stories!

Thank you.