On the afternoon of December 7, 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with his Cypriot counterpart Tassos Papadopoulos at the Great Hall of the People. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on furthering bilateral friendly cooperation, as well as international and regional issues of common concern, and reached broad consensus.

Hu said since the establishment of diplomatic ties, bilateral relations have been developing soundly and steadily. Recent years have witnessed increasing high-level visits, rapidly developing economic and trade cooperation and growing mutual investment. The two countries had conducted fruitful cooperation in the areas of culture, health and tourism and maintained sound coordination in international affairs. Hu expressed appreciation for the support of Cyprus on the Taiwan question and its efforts to improve relations between China and the European Union. He also expressed gratitude for Cyprus's help on the evacuation of overseas Chinese during the Lebanon-Israel conflict. China cherishes Sino-Cypriot traditional friendship and developing long-term and stable friendly cooperative relations with Cyprus has been China's consistent policy, he said. No matter what changes take place in the international situation, this policy will never change, Hu said.

Papadopoulos hailed the satisfactory achievements of friendly cooperation in all areas since the establishment of diplomatic ties, expressing his country's willingness to work with China to push for bilateral ties. He reaffirmed that adherence to the one-China principle is Cyprus's consistent policy, which will not change. As a new EU member, Cyprus would like to continue playing an active role in promoting comprehensive development of Sino-EU cooperation.

"We will take the opportunity of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Cypriot ties to upgrade the relationship," Hu said. Hu raised a four-point proposal to enhance relations with Cyprus. The first is to enhance high-level visits and expand friendly exchanges between the governments, parliaments, parties and regions of the two countries. The second is to deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation. The joint committee for economic, trade, scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries should be given full play to strengthen planning, coordination and guidance for the economic and trade cooperation. China is ready to increase import of specialty products from Cyprus, assist the Cypriot side to hold various forms of promotion activities in China and encourage competitive businesses to invest in Cyprus. China would also like to participate in ports, harbors, energy, telecommunications and other infrastructure construction in Cyprus and expand shipping cooperation with the country. The third is to expand cooperation in other areas. Both sides should step up efforts to fulfill the program for implementing cultural and health cooperation agreements and conduct cooperation in the areas of tourism, archeology and cultural relics. The fourth is to keep closer coordination and cooperation in the United Nations, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and other international organizations and multilateral affairs. China is ready to continue playing a positive role in resolving the issue of Cyprus in a fair and reasonable manner.

Papadopoulos expressed his full agreement with Hu's suggestions. He said Cyprus hopes to become China's reliable good friend and partner and looks forward to keeping closer high-level visits with China and strengthening bilateral cooperation in the areas of economy, trade, science, technology, investment, tourism, culture and health. He was thankful for China's consistent just stance on the Cyprus issue, vowing to strengthen cooperation with China in the United Nations and other multilateral institutions.

After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing ceremony of agreements on health and cultural cooperation.

Prior to the talks, Hu hosted a welcoming ceremony for Papadopoulos's visit to China at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China Uyunqimg, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Li Zhaozhuo, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party Chen Zongxing, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng, Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus Zhao Yali and other officials attended the ceremony.