On 12 September 2025, H.E. Liu Yantao, Ambassador of China to Cyprus, held the reception in celebration of the 76th 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, Friends,

Kalispera! Today, we gather here to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. On behalf of the Embassy of China in Cyprus, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all! My heartfelt thanks goes to all friends from various sectors who have long supported China’s development and devoted themselves to the friendship and cooperation between China and Cyprus.

Over the past 76 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have advanced the Chinese modernization with unity and perseverance, and created a miracle in the history of human development.

－ China has transformed from a war-torn and impoverished nation into the world’s second-largest economy. Between 2021 and 2024, which is the first four years of the 14th Five-Year Plan, China’s GDP grew at an average annual rate of 5.5%. This year, our economy is expected to reach around 19.5 trillion US dollars. The total growth over the past five years is roughly equivalent to the size of the world’s third-largest economy.

－ China has transformed from an agricultural nation once dependent on imports for even basic goods like nails and matches into a global powerhouse of manufacturing and innovation. China ranks first globally in the production of over 220 types of industrial goods. It leads the world in high-speed railway mileage, expressway networks, port throughput, the number of 5G base stations, installed renewable energy capacity, and the production and sales of electric vehicles.

－ China has transformed from a country where people once struggled for food and clothing into a moderately prosperous society in all respects. In the past over four decades of reform and opening up, over 800 million people have been lifted out of poverty. Under current standards, all rural poor have been lifted out of poverty. We have also established the world’s largest education, social security, and medical insurance systems, benefiting the 1.4 billion people.

－ China has transformed from a country once facing isolation, blockade and external threat into an independent major country with global influence. Our major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics continues to make headway. We have established a global network of partnerships and are the main trading partner of over 140 countries and regions. The Belt and Road Initiative has benefited people in more than 150 countries.

Friends,

Today’s China is a responsible major country with increasing strength. We have actively met the international community’s strong desire for peace and development, and spearheaded global efforts in this direction. We have continued to inject stability and certainty into the world and worked toward building a community with a shared future for humanity.

First, China firmly upholds the post-war international order. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. It is also the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN. As the main battlefield in the East during the World Anti-Fascist War, the Chinese people made great national sacrifices to safeguard human civilization and defend world peace.

We commemorate this history not to sustain hatred, but to learn lessons, cherish peace, and create a better future. China strongly opposes any attempt to distort the outcome of World War II or undermine the post-war international order. We firmly uphold the international system with the UN at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We stand for fairness and justice in the world.

Second, China actively promotes the improvement of global governance. At a time when the international situation is marked by instability and the governance deficit is growing, President Xi Jinping recently put forward the Global Governance Initiative. This initiative is based on five core concepts: adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating the people-centered approach, and focusing on taking real actions. This is another major initiative following the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. It is not intended to dismantle or rebuild the current international order, but rather to make it fairer, more reasonable, and more in line with the changing times and the shared needs of all countries. China is ready to work with the international community, including Cyprus, to explore the path to improving global governance and to jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Third, China resolutely defends the multilateral trading system. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the WTO. Over the past 30 years, the WTO-centered multilateral trading system has provided an open, stable, and predictable institutional environment for global trade and has injected strong momentum into global growth.

However, some country has used various excuses to abuse tariffs on all trading partners, including China. Facing such challenge, China has responded under the principle of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit. We have not only safeguarded our own legitimate rights and interests, but also multilateral trade rules, and the common good of the international community.  

It needs to be stressed that unilateralism and protectionism will lead nowhere. In contrast, openness, cooperation, and mutual benefit are the aspirations of the people. China is ready to work with all parties to firmly uphold the multilateral trading system and jointly promote economic globalization that is universally beneficial and inclusive.

Friends,

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-EU diplomatic relations. Facts have proven that China and the EU are partners, not rivals; opportunities, not threats for each other. The most valuable lesson from the past 50 years is mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences, openness, cooperation, and mutual benefit — principles that should guide the future of China-EU relations. In the first half of next year, Cyprus will hold the rotating presidency of the EU. We wish Cyprus every success in this role and hope that during this period, China-EU relations will achieve new and greater progress!

Importantly, China and Cyprus are good friends, good brothers, and good partners. The two countries enjoy solid political mutual trust. Cyprus firmly supports China’s position on the Taiwan question, which China highly appreciates. On the Cyprus problem, China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has all along firmly supported Cyprus in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and played a constructive role in the settlement of the problem. Without doubt, China will continue to do so in the future.

Practical cooperation between the two countries in various fields continues to deepen. In the first half of this year, bilateral trade in goods reached about 720 million US dollars, marking a significant increase over last year. Huawei Technology, BYD electric cars, large ships and other high-tech Chinese products have met the needs of the Cypriot market, supporting the country’s digital green transition and industrial development.  Cyprus has participated in the China International Import Expo for eight consecutive years. Its Halloumi cheese, juice, wine, and other competitive products are becoming increasingly popular in Chinese households.

People-to-people exchanges between our two countries are also booming. The first China-Cyprus MOU on sports cooperation will make martial arts, table tennis, dragon boat and other sports even more popular in Cyprus. Since the establishment of the China-Cyprus Sister City Alliance two years ago, subnational exchanges have deepened significantly. In late October this year, our Embassy and CyBC will co-host the China-Cyprus-Europe Media Forum, together with other mainstream media of the two countries, which will bring our people-to-people interactions to a new high.

In 2026, we will celebrate the 55th anniversary of China-Cyprus diplomatic relations and the fifth anniversary of our strategic partnership. It is highly hoped that China-Cyprus friendship and cooperation will be taken to a new level!

Friends,

To conclude, I would like to propose a toast:

To the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China,

To the prosperity of our countries and friendship between our peoples,

To the health and happiness of all guests,

Cheers! Thank you!