The importance of further strengthening Cyprus-China relations and cooperation, as well as the role of the media in bringing the two peoples closer, was highlighted by the new Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Cyprus, Yang Yundong, during his visit to the offices of the Cyprus News Agency (CNA).
The Chinese Ambassador met with the Chairman of CNA’s Board of Directors Andreas Frangos and the Director Dinos Phinikarides, with discussions focusing, among other issues, on prospects for future cooperation and the role of the Agency in strengthening ties between the two peoples.
Speaking after the meeting, Yang described his visit to CNA as ‘a great pleasure’, saying that he had held a ‘very fruitful, in-depth discussion’ on cooperation between the two sides in the future.
He said China attaches importance to issues concerning Cyprus and noted that the two countries enjoy a high level of political trust, adding that ‘we always support each other on issues.’
The Chinese Ambassador also expressed China’s appreciation for the commitment of the people and government of Cyprus to the One-China policy.
Regarding the Cyprus problem, Yang said that China ‘is very supportive to a just end of Cyprus problem’, adding that Beijing supports efforts to safeguard ‘safety, sovereignty, independence, and integrity.’
Referring to his contacts since taking up his post in Cyprus, the Ambassador said he had been ‘deeply impressed by the warmest hospitality and friendship of Cypriot people’.
He said he had held intensive talks with various departments and people from different sectors and expressed confidence that ‘together, we will push our partnership higher.’
Yang also highlighted the role of CNA, saying that the Agency ‘has played a very important role in connecting our two peoples.’
He noted that CNA maintains close cooperation with China’s Xinhua News Agency and other Chinese media, expressing the hope that, through the efforts of both sides, ‘the two peoples, the people of China, the people of Cyprus, we will become more close to each other.’
For his part, the Chairman of CNA’s Board of Directors welcomed the Chinese Ambassador to the Agency’s premises and briefed him on CNA’s role in the Cypriot media landscape.
He also stressed the Agency’s commitment to the One-China policy and underlined the importance of the media in providing accurate and fact-checked news to subscribers and the public.
Frangos said he believed there was a willingness to bring the peoples of China and Cyprus closer through various initiatives and to benefit from the knowledge and achievements China has developed over the years.
He thanked the Ambassador for his visit, stressing that CNA is open to learning new things and to developing a mutually beneficial cooperation.