China expects Cyprus to act as a bridge between Beijing and Brussels, Cyprus President Demetris Christofias said on Monday, speaking after a meeting in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, an official statement said here today.

Hu expressed China’s long standing support for Cyprus’ efforts to defend its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the statement added.

In his remarks after the meeting, Christofias said that Hu warmly welcomed the Cypriot delegation and reminded the Cypriot President of his visit to the country while he was President of the House of Representatives, “a visit which contributed to further promoting the multi-faceted relations between the two countries”, the statement noted.

Christofias said Hu proposed that the two countries work together in all sectors to further promote and strengthen them.

The two Presidents agreed that delegations from the two countries exchange visits and work to further develop economic, commercial and other relations.

According to the Cypriot President, Hu said Cyprus is a very credible partner for China in the EU. The Chinese President also said that he looks forward “to the Republic of Cyprus acting as a bridge between China and the EU, to help Beijing expand ties with Brussels, making the Union a credible partner” for China, said Christofias.

On the Cyprus issue, Christofias said President Hu “expressed clear positions. Over the years, the People’s Republic of China has supported the Republic of Cyprus in its effort and its struggle to defend its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Chinese president wished that talks to reunite Cyprus will bear fruit soon.”

President Hu, Christofias continued, “has stressed that China, at all international organizations and especially the UN as a permanent member of the Security Council, will continue to maintain positions of principle and solidarity towards the Republic of Cyprus”.

Christofias thanked China for its longstanding positions on the Cyprus issue and its support in efforts to end the continuing Turkish occupation of the island’s northern part and reunite the country to the benefit of all Cypriots.

“I have stressed our support for a single China and the reunification of Taiwan with China, a position which the Republic of Cyprus maintains with great consistency”, Christofias said, adding “I stressed that Tibet is an integral part of China”.
According to the official statement, Christofias expressed regret for various events which, as he pointed out, aim at marring China’s credibility and the will of the Chinese people to organize the Olympic Games in an impressive manner. The opening ceremony of the Games was impressive and spectacular.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island’s northern third.

The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat decided on July 25 to start full-fledged negotiations on September 3rd, with a view to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem.