Above:Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (Left) shakes hands with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades in Nicosia, Cyprus, Dec. 21, 2015. (Photo from:Xinhua)

The Chinese FM, who is on an official visit to Cyprus, was received by President of the House of Representatives Yiannakis Omirou.

During the meeting, the Chinese Foreign Minister noted that Beijing always follows a diplomacy to equally approach big and small countries and pointed out that the relations between China and Cyprus can be an example of good relations between big and small countries.

He also said that the governments of the two countries always maintained good relations and that the cooperation between China and Cyprus is a good one.

House Speaker Yiannakis Omirou underlined that relations of Cyprus with China that go back in time are based on mutual respect and common principles and values.

China’s foreign minister says his country is interested in operating Cyprus’ ports and to help turn the small east Mediterranean island nation into a regional shipping hub.

Wang Yi said after talks with his Cypriot counterpart that China is looking to develop industrial zones around the ports.

Cyprus issued tenders earlier this year for a new operator to manage its largest port in the town of Limassol as a container hub, a cruise liner port of call or to offer sea services.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said he conveyed his government’s “great wish” that Chinese companies succeed in the tender.

Kasoulides pointed to the “successful participation” of China’s Cosco in Greece’s main port of Piraeus, where it has a concession to operate two of three container terminals.

Source:Manila Bulletin