I. The problem of Cyprus refers to disputes that have been existing for a long time between Greek community and Turkish community of Cyprus. For many years this has been one of the political issues on the UN agenda.


Greek community and Turkish community are living for a long time on the Island of Cyprus. After Cyprus declared independence in 1960, the two communities formed united power. At the end of 1963, armed conflict occurred between the two communities. Turkish community established another set of "executive authorities". In the summer of 1974, Greek military bloc attempted to push the movement of the amalgamation of Cyprus and Greece. In the name of Guarantor State, Turkey put up a military intervention and controlled the northern part of Cyprus, which covers about 37% of the whole island. Since then, Cyprus was torn into two parts-the South and the North. In 1975, Turkish community declared to establish "Confederation of Turkish Cypriot Community". In 1983, Turkish community established "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus".


From 1964 to now, the UN Security Council maintains peacekeeping force in Cyprus, whose task is to assist peace-keeping and restoration of normal order in the buffer zone between the two communities. Since 1968 UN secretary-general and his special representative have been making a series of mediation efforts between the two communities. The leaders of the two communities also repeatedly hold direct or indirect talks. But by now because the two sides' standpoints are too far apart or seriously opposite in some key problems, no substantial breakthrough appears. Now the two communities' main divergences involve adjustment of territory, what kind of rights the destitute and homeless should have, the problem of sovereign rights and drawing up a constitution, the problem of Guarantor State, security issue and Cyprus' joining European Union, etc.


II. China has always insisted that the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-aligned position be respected, that UN resolutions on Cyprus problem should be implemented in earnest. Chinese government is deeply concerned over Cyprus problem and supports all efforts by UN Secretary-general for solving the problem. We hope that the two communities, sparing no effort in cooperation with the Secretary-general, try to narrow the differences gradually through negotiation and set up mutual confidence on the basis of UN resolutions related, in seeking solutions acceptable to the two communities at an early date. This not only accords with fundamental interests of the two communities, but also is beneficial to the peace, stability and development of the region. As a permanent member of the Security Council, China is willing, together with international society, to make our own contribution to find a just and reasonable solution of the Cyprus problem.