China will keep backing Cyprus on sovereignty and Cyprus problem, ambassador Yang Yundong says

Politics chinaCyprus problemTop News China will keep backing Cyprus on sovereignty and Cyprus problem, ambassador Yang Yundong says Pres China 12 1 1024x683 Relevant News China will keep backing Cyprus on sovereignty and Cyprus problem, ambassador Yang Yundong says 7 September 2026 Health professionals giving out unapproved products with health promises, Cyprus regulator warns 7 September 2026 Musk backs Kasidiaris… 7 September 2026 Andreas Bimbishis 7 September 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber China will continue “supporting Cyprus’s efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and backing a comprehensive, just and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem within the framework of UN resolutions,” Ambassador Yang Yundong tells Phileleftheros, in his first interview since taking up his post this past July. The Chinese ambassador speaks at length about relations between the two countries across every field, and about China’s role at the UN on the Cyprus problem, saying Beijing “greatly values the positive role Cyprus plays in promoting China-EU dialogue and cooperation.” How would you assess the current level of China-Cyprus relations? This year marks 55 years since China and Cyprus established diplomatic relations, and five years since the establishment of the Strategic Partnership. For 55 years, bilateral relations have maintained a steady, healthy course of development. The two countries treat each other with mutual respect and equality and pursue mutually beneficial cooperation, setting an example of friendship between countries of very different sizes. Mutual political trust is the cornerstone of China-Cyprus relations. President Xi Jinping and President Nikos Christodoulides both attach great importance to bilateral relations and provide strategic guidance for their development. Cyprus firmly adheres to the One China policy, something we greatly value. In turn, China consistently supports Cyprus in its efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Practical cooperation is a driving force behind bilateral relations. In 2019, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, giving new momentum to bilateral cooperation. In 2025, bilateral trade volume reached 1.44 billion dollars, a historic high. Quality products from both countries are reaching more and more households, giving consumers more choice. People-to-people and cultural exchanges are a bridge bringing the two peoples’ hearts closer together. In recent years, contacts in culture, education, youth affairs, media, tourism and local government have become increasingly close. The Confucius Institutes at the University of Cyprus and the Cyprus University of Technology are developing dynamically, while the Centre for Chinese Studies run jointly by the European University Cyprus and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences continues to grow steadily. The China-Cyprus Sister Cities Alliance is also developing significant, positive activities. The two peoples are drawing ever closer, and their friendship is deepening. Today, China-Cyprus relations stand before new opportunities. I am ready to work with my Cypriot colleagues to further consolidate political mutual trust, expand the “pie” of shared interests, and turn our traditional friendship into more tangible results for the benefit of both peoples. China supports Cyprus on the Cyprus problem. What does that mean more specifically? If negotiations were to resume, how would China approach that, and what role could it play? The Cyprus problem is an issue of the utmost importance for the Cypriot people. Although China and Cyprus differ greatly in size, neither country has yet achieved full reunification. The Chinese people therefore deeply understand the feelings of the Cypriot people. On the Cyprus problem, China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, consistently upholds justice. It firmly supports a just and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem, on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions and within the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality. This position is longstanding and consistent. On December 14, 1971, the Joint Communiqué establishing China-Cyprus diplomatic relations stated that “the government and people of China firmly support the just struggle of the government and people of the Republic of Cyprus against every form of external intervention and interference, and for the full independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus.” On November 30, 2021, the China-Cyprus Joint Declaration on the establishment of the Strategic Partnership reaffirmed that “the Chinese side will continue, as always, to support Cyprus’s efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to back a comprehensive, just and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem within the framework of the relevant UN resolutions.” In UN Security Council discussions on the Cyprus problem, China maintains an objective and fair stance, raising its voice in favour of justice for our Cypriot friends. It gives active support to the fulfilment of the mission of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus and, since 2015, has been sending Chinese police officers to take part in the peacekeeping mission. China has also repeatedly offered support to the Committee on Missing Persons, contributing to building mutual trust between the two communities. UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently visited Cyprus and announced that the two sides had agreed to hold a new expanded “5+1” meeting once conditions allow. The process of resolving the Cyprus problem is showing a new ray of hope as a result. We hope all parties will strengthen communication, move towards one another and work towards resuming negotiations. China is ready to continue contributing constructively, to the extent of its ability. As the European Union’s “de-risking” policy continues to evolve, how does China see the development of China-EU relations in the coming years? Does China expect Cyprus to play any particular role in China-EU relations? China and the European Union are comprehensive strategic partners. They are also two major powers promoting multipolarity, two large markets supporting globalisation, and two significant civilisations defending diversity. China has always approached and developed China-EU relations from a strategic, long-term perspective. At a time of growing international instability, China-EU relations carry significant strategic and global weight. As President Xi has pointed out, one of the most important lessons from China-EU relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties is mutual respect, seeking common ground while accepting differences, open cooperation and mutual benefit. These are also the principles and direction China-EU relations should follow in future. China and the EU’s combined economic strength represents around a third of the global economy, and each is the other’s second-largest trading partner. The essence of China-EU economic and trade relations is complementary strengths and mutual benefit. These relations can, and should, achieve a dynamic balance through their own development. History and reality both show that interdependence is not a risk, and that convergence of interests is not a threat. Strengthening competitiveness cannot be achieved by erecting walls and barriers, while “decoupling” and breaking production and supply chains ultimately lead only to self-isolation. In late June, the first session of the China-EU Trade and Investment Dialogue Mechanism took place in Brussels. The two sides issued a joint statement and reached a new shared understanding on the position of China-EU economic and trade relations, namely that they are key trading partners seeking stable, balanced relations. China is ready to strengthen dialogue and consultation with the European side, to manage differences and trade friction appropriately, to promote practical cooperation, and to guide China-EU trade towards higher-level, more balanced growth. Cyprus is an EU member state and, at the same time, a good friend and good partner of China. The Chinese side greatly values the positive role Cyprus has consistently played in promoting China-EU dialogue and cooperation. We look forward to Cyprus continuing to express a rational, objective voice within the European Union, and contributing even further to strengthening mutual understanding and expanding cooperation between China and the EU. ‘A defender of the international order’ The international community faces multiple challenges today. How does China see its own role in international affairs? Today, changes unseen in a century are accelerating, and the international situation is marked by growing instability and turbulence. As a responsible major country, China closely links its own development to the development of the world, promotes the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and actively contributes Chinese wisdom, Chinese proposals and Chinese strength to addressing global challenges. China is a builder of world peace. As a major country with one of the best track records on peace and security, China promotes a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and contributes ideas and actions to safeguarding world peace. China is the second-largest funder of UN peacekeeping operations and, among the permanent members of the Security Council, the largest contributor of personnel to peacekeeping missions. Chinese blue helmets have served for years on the front lines of peacekeeping missions in various parts of the world, including Cyprus. At the same time, China is exploring ways of resolving international and regional crises with Chinese characteristics, and playing a constructive role in the Ukraine crisis, the Israel-Palestine conflict and the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran, acting as a force for peace and stability in a world full of turbulence and change. China plays an active part in global development. It continues to expand its high-level opening-up to the world and creates open platforms for cooperation, such as the China International Import Expo and the China International Trade in Services Fair. At the same time, it applies a unilateral visa-free policy for citizens of 50 countries, including Cyprus, sharing development opportunities with the rest of the world. China firmly defends the multilateral trading system centred on the WTO, and is the main trading partner for more than 160 countries and territories. Together with more than three-quarters of the world’s countries, it promotes high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. China-Europe freight trains have made more than 130,000 trips in total, continuously expanding a “development belt” and a “road of prosperity” that benefit the world. China is a defender of the international order. The future and destiny of the world must lie in the hands of all countries together, and cannot be determined by the unilateralism of a few states. China firmly defends the international system centred on the United Nations, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations founded on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. It insists on the genuine multilateral character of international relations, promotes equal and orderly multipolarity, and works towards a fairer, more rational system of global governance. Through joint efforts for greater equality in rights, opportunities and rules, it seeks to advance the modernisation of human society. China is a provider of international public goods. Faced with the deficits in peace, development, security and governance the world confronts, President Xi Jinping has successively proposed the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilisation Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative. These four initiatives form an organic whole: development to promote prosperity, security to ensure stability, civilisation to strengthen mutual trust, and governance to achieve greater justice. In this way, they offer valuable stability and positive energy to a world full of uncertainty and turbulence. China also takes part in global governance in fields such as AI, climate change and public health, seeking to ensure the results of cooperation benefit the peoples of all countries. If one views the world through the lens of “my country first,” the world looks small and suffocating, and harsh competition dominates everywhere. But if one views it through the lens of a shared future, the world is broad and full of opportunities for cooperation. China will continue linking its own development ever more closely to the development of the world, and providing more international public goods to safeguard peace, promote common development, encourage mutual learning between civilisations and improve global governance, contributing still further to the progress of humanity. ‘A new chapter in my diplomatic career’ What are your first impressions of Cyprus, and what are your expectations for your tenure? I arrived in beautiful Cyprus in early July, opening a new chapter in my diplomatic career. From taking up my post until today, I have been deeply struck by Cyprus’s long and brilliant history and culture, its beautiful natural landscape, and its hospitable people. At the same time, I have experienced first-hand the deep bonds of friendship uniting the peoples of China and Cyprus. Although the two countries are far apart, they have much in common. Both have ancient civilisations, both place particular importance on peace, family and friendship, and both are marked by a spirit of openness, tolerance and dedication to human relationships. During my tenure, I will work actively to promote exchanges in every field and to further expand practical cooperation. I look forward to visiting every corner of Cyprus, listening to views from all walks of life, and getting to know this place more deeply. I will devote all my energy to strengthening mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation between China and Cyprus. ‘Room for deeper cooperation’ How would you assess the current state of the Chinese economy, and what opportunities can China’s development offer Cyprus and the rest of the world? Today, the international situation is marked by growing instability and uncertainty, while the global economic recovery remains under pressure. Despite this complex external environment, the Chinese economy is maintaining a steady course and continuing to make progress, demonstrating strong resilience and vitality. In the first half of this year, China’s GDP reached 10.3 trillion dollars, up 4.7 per cent year-on-year. The net increase was around 530 billion dollars, the largest for the corresponding period in the past five years. At the same time, technological and industrial innovation are becoming ever more closely linked, while new drivers of growth, such as advanced manufacturing, the digital economy and green industries, are developing rapidly. New energy vehicles, artificial intelligence and robotics industries are showing dynamic growth. China is opening its doors to the world ever wider, applying a zero-tariff policy for 63 countries. In the first half of the year, China’s import growth rate reached 22.1 per cent, exceeding the export growth rate by 8.7 percentage points. China is ready to share with all countries the opportunities created by its market, its industrial development and its innovation. For Cyprus, the upgrading of Chinese consumption will create a larger market, the green transition will widen the field for cooperation, and digital development will generate new possibilities. The two sides can further deepen cooperation in areas such as shipping, tourism, education and green development, so that the new opportunities created by China’s development are turned into new, tangible results of China-Cyprus cooperation. What do you consider the main reasons behind these achievements? This year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. On July 1, President Xi delivered an important speech, reviewing the Party’s brilliant history and setting out prospects for its future work. For 105 years, the CPC has united and guided the Chinese people, from the struggle for national independence and the people’s liberation to the pursuit of a strong, prosperous country and a better life for the people. History and practice have repeatedly proven that, for China to manage its own affairs effectively, the CPC’s leadership is the decisive factor. Rooted in the people, drawing strength from the people. The CPC comes from the people and serves the people. It regards the people’s hope for a better life as the goal of its struggle. Since the start of reform and opening-up, more than 800 million people in China have been lifted out of poverty, with China’s contribution to global poverty reduction exceeding 70 per cent. China has built the world’s largest education, social security and healthcare systems, as well as the world’s largest high-speed rail, motorway and information and communications infrastructure networks. E-commerce and mobile payments, along with economic development and scientific and technological progress, are constantly being turned into tangible benefits, greater prosperity and greater security for citizens. Grounded in national conditions, in step with the times. The CPC insists on always starting from the country’s actual conditions and combining long-term goals with the objectives of each stage of development. It maintains strategic stability while continuously promoting reform and innovation. Within a few decades, China completed an industrialisation process that took developed countries several centuries, and became the world’s second-largest economy. China’s development is not a copy of any other country’s model, but the result of a continuous search for a path of modernisation suited to its own national conditions. Self-reform and constant renewal. The CPC attaches great importance to its own development and self-improvement, resolutely eliminating any factor that undermines its advanced, clean character, so that through this ongoing process of self-reform it becomes even stronger. Since the start of the year, the CPC has been running an educational campaign to cultivate and apply a correct outlook on governance performance, with core requirements of serving the public interest, creating benefits for the people, making scientifically grounded decisions, and emphasising substantive action and real results. In this way, it guides Party organisations, members and cadres to persist in seeking truth from facts, to work pragmatically, and to produce results that can withstand the test of practice, of the people and of history, providing strong support for the country’s economic and social development. By the middle of the century, China’s goal is to have fully built a strong, modern socialist country. Chinese communists will continue, with confidence and unceasing effort, relying on the Chinese people and uniting them around a common purpose, to create new achievements in history. Read more: Cyprus-born Greek Twins build bridge between China, Cyprus and Greece through viral videos Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Health professionals giving out unapproved products with health promises, Cyprus regulator warns Musk backs Kasidiaris… Yes to the GSI, but Je suis Makis Keravnos! A €2bn mistake would be catastrophic Has the artist been paid? 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