On December 11, 2019, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu attended upon invitation the national day reception held by the Cypriot Embassy in China and addressed the function.

Ma Zhaoxu congratulated Cyprus on the 59th anniversary of its independence and said, Cyprus is a good friend and partner of China. The two sides have always respected, understood and supported each other, setting an example of equality and mutual benefit for small and large countries in the international community. In April this year, President Xi Jinping and President Nicos Anastasiades jointly witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding on cooperation between China and Cyprus on jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, opening up broad prospects for future cooperation. The Chinese side is ready to work with the Cypriot side to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and push for new development of China-Cyprus relations.