Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-01-16

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

Tuesday, 16 January 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] Chinese Vice-President visits Cyprus
• [02] Cyprus and China sign investment agreement

[01] Chinese Vice-President visits Cyprus

The Chinese Vice-President, accompanied by a multi-member delegation as part of a five-country tour to the region, held official talks with President Glafcos Clerides at the Presidential Palace, aimed at enhancing bilateral relations in the political, economic and technical fields.

Replying to journalists' questions after the meeting, Mr Jintao stressed that China is consistent in its position that the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus should be respected and UN resolutions implemented faithfully. He expressed the hope that the two communities of Cyprus will work together with mutual trust towards a just settlement. China has taken note of the five rounds of proximity talks held so far and hopes they "will yield positive progress", he added.

In the evening the Chinese Vice-President and his wife attended a state banquet given in their honour by President Clerides.

Welcoming Mr Jintao to Cyprus, President Clerides said that relations between the two countries are based on "the mutual respect of the principles of international law and the common vision for peace and prosperity in the world."

One of the basic principles that both Cyprus and China abide by is the need for respect of the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of states, he said. "This principle is the basis of the Chinese position on the Cyprus issue: the support for the achievement of a just and viable solution on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions", he added.

He stressed that neither Cyprus nor China accept or will ever accept division. "There is only one China, the People's Republic of China, which is the sole representative of the Chinese people, as there is only one Cyprus. Our support to the one China Policy will remain stable, since it is a position of principle", he said.

Concluding his address, President Clerides said that both China and Cyprus have built a relation of mutual respect and understanding, have created a multi-faceted dynamic and productive relation, and one that will continue to develop in all areas since it is based on the respect for international law and the common vision for peace and justice.

In his speech, the Chinese Vice-President referred to the firm friendship that exists between China and Cyprus and underlined that although geographically far from each other and different in national condition, they have treated each other with respect and as equals, cooperated closely and achieved smooth development in their bilateral relations.

"We highly value the consistent position of the Government of Cyprus in adhereing to the one-China principle and refraining from any official contacts with Taiwan," Mr Jintao said.

He also expressed the certainty that with the concerted efforts of both sides "the friendly relations and cooperation between China and Cyprus will have a better future in the 21st century".

[02] Cyprus and China sign investment agreement

The agreement was signed yesterday by the Minister of Finance Mr Takis Klerides and the Chinese Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Mr Sun Guang Xiang, during official talks held between the President of the Republic Mr Glafcos Clerides and the Vice-President of China Mr Hu Jintao at the Presidential Palace.

Speaking after signing the agreement on the Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investment, the Minister of Finance said the agreement was one more proof of the warm and constructive bilateral relations that exist between the two countries. "Our goal is to create the conditions that would offer a sound economic foundation on which investment and economic ties can be built," he said.

Mr Klerides said that the agreement, in conjunction with two previous agreements on economic, scientific and technical cooperation and on the avoidance of double taxation, provides the legal framework to further develop economic ties between China and Cyprus.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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