The year 2021 marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Cyprus. In November, the two sides released the Joint Statement Between the People’s Repulic of China and the Republic of Cyprus on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership.

The two countries maintained frequent high-level exchanges. In November, President Xi Jinping had a phone call with President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades. Both sides spoke highly of the development of bilateral relations over the past 50 years and agreed to upgrade the relationship to a strategic partnership. In November, NPC Chairman Li Zhanshu had a virtual meeting with President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus Annita Demetriou. In December, Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, visited Cyprus, where he met with President Anastasiades and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nicos Christodoulides. In January, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Foreign Minister Christodoulides during a stopover in Cyprus. In April, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Foreign Minister Christodoulides. In June, President of Democratic Rally of Cyprus Averof Neofytou and General Secretary of the Progressive Party of Working People Andros Kyprianou sent congratulatory letters on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC.

Cooperation in various fields made smooth progress. Over the year, the two-way trade decreased by 2.5% year on year. The 5G networks that Huawei built in partnership with two top telecommunication operators in Cyprus, Cyta and Epic, were put into commercial use in February and June respectively. In March, the Ayia Napa Municipal Theater of Cyprus joined the Silk Road International League of Theaters. In May, European University Cyprus and Minjiang University formally established the International Digital Economy College of Minjiang University through collaboration. In Octorber, the China-Cyprus Youth Forum was held successfully. In November, Cyprus participated in the fourth China International Import Expo and opened for the first time a virtual country exhibition.