Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-06-06

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] President Clerides - China - Relations

[02] Armstrong - Popular Bank

1140:CYPPRESS:01

[01] President Clerides - China - Relations

Beijing, Jun 6 (CNA) -- President Glafcos Clerides, accompanied by an official delegation including three Ministers, arrived in Beijing today for a six-day state visit, expected to boost political, trade and economic relations between the two countries.

President Clerides, first lady Lila-Irene and the members of the delegation were met at Beijing airport by Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Donghe, Cyprus Ambassador to China, Loria Markides and China's Ambassador to Cyprus, Yin Zuojin.

During his stay, President Clerides will meet with his Chinese counterpart Jian Zamin, Prime Minister, Zhu Rong Ji and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Li Peng.

The Cypriot President will be officially welcomed to China by President Zemin at a special ceremony tomorrow.

The two Presidents will then have private talks which will be followed by official talks between delegations of the two countries.

The talks are expected to focus on international problems, such as the Kosovo crisis and the situation in the Middle East, the Cyprus problem and bilateral relations.

Foreign Affairs Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Nicos Rolandis, Finance Minister Takis Clerides and Government Spokesman Costas Serezis are among state officials accompanying the President.

The Ministers will hold talks with their Chinese counterparts. During their stay in China the Cypriot officials will also visit Xian and Shanghai.

Despite their huge difference in size and the geographical distance between them, Cyprus and China have managed to forge close diplomatic, economic and cultural ties through the signing of a number of bilateral agreements.

Relations between the two countries are expected to be boosted by the state visit, during which the Cypriot officials are expected to speak at seminars or have meetings aimed at promoting Cyprus as a trade center.

Cyprus and China established diplomatic relations in September 1971, when the People's Republic of China was admitted to the UN, in place of the Kuomintang regime.

The Cyprus Republic opened its first diplomatic mission in Beijing in 1989.

In June 1997 the Foreign Ministries of the two countries signed a Cooperation Protocol.

With regard to the long-standing Cyprus problem, Nicosia respects the fact that Beijing supports the UN Secretary General's good offices mission and the numerous UN resolutions on Cyprus.

Trade relations between the two countries go back a long way as the first Agreement between Cyprus and China in this field was signed in 1981.

In 1998 Cyprus imported goods from China worth around 41 million pounds (one Cyprus pound is about two US dollars) and exported goods to China worth 41 thousand pounds.

Cyprus and China signed an Agreement for Economic, Technical and Scientific Cooperation in 1984.

The two countries also have agreements in the Shipping, Tourism and Health fields, and an agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation.

In the cultural field Cyprus and China signed an agreement in 1980, providing for exchanges in the cultural, educational, sports, tourism, youth and media sectors.

More than 300 Chinese students attended private colleges in Cyprus last year.

The official news agencies of the two countries, the Cyprus News Agency and XINHOUA, signed a cooperation agreement in 1997.

CNA MA/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1230:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Armstrong - Popular Bank

Returning to earth, Armstrong had said, back in 1969 that the experience was "a small step for man, a big step for humanity".

While in Cyprus, Armstrong will give a lecture on "The legacy of Apollo 11 and what it means beyond the millennium" on Tuesday, June 8, at the International Conference Centre.

The lecture will be in the framework of events organised by the Popular Bank to welcome the year 2000 and to celebrate a 100 years since the establishment of the Bank.

CNA AA/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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