On the afternoon of October 11, 2024, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Zhao Leji held talks with President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus Annita Demetriou at the Great Hall of the People.

Zhao Leji said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cyprus, the two countries have always respected each other, treated each other as equals, and pursued mutual benefit and win-win results. The two heads of state jointly decided to elevate China-Cyprus relations to a strategic partnership in 2021, committing to working together to build a community with a shared future for mankind. China is ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Cyprus at all levels and in various fields to enrich the connotations of the strategic partnership and bring more benefits to the two countries and peoples.

Zhao Leji pointed out that China appreciates Cyprus' pursuit of the one-China principle, and expressed the hope that Cyprus will continue to provide firm support for issues concerning China's core interests. China will continue to firmly support Cyprus' efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. China is ready to work with Cyprus to strengthen mutual support, consolidate political mutual trust, uphold openness and cooperation, promote common development, enhance exchanges and mutual learning, and fortify mutual understanding and amity. The two sides, guided by high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, should tap into the potential of cooperation in infrastructure, sci-tech innovation, green development and other fields. The two sides need to deepen cooperation in culture, education, health and other areas, and promote exchanges, dialogue, inclusiveness, mutual learning and harmonious coexistence among different civilizations. Noting that China-Cyprus relations are a driving force for China-Europe relations, Zhao Leji expressed the hope that Cyprus will continue to make positive contributions to the steady and long-term development of China-Europe relations.

Zhao Leji stressed that exchanges and cooperation between legislative bodies are an important part of China-Cyprus relations. The Cypriot delegation includes the country's leaders of major political parties and parliamentary representatives, which fully demonstrates that the development of cooperation with China is a consensus among the Cypriot House of Representatives and various sectors in Cyprus. The NPC of China is ready to maintain the good momentum of high-level exchanges with the Cypriot House of Representatives, carry out dialogue and cooperation among specialized committees, bilateral friendship groups, as well as NPC deputies and parliamentarians, and encourage exchanges between women, youth representatives and parliamentarians. The two sides should share experience in legislation and supervision work, approve and revise legal documents conducive to practical cooperation in a timely manner, and promote exchanges between political parties, people and at the sub-national level. Both sides need to strengthen communication and cooperation within multilateral parliamentary organizations, and jointly practice true multilateralism.

Zhao Leji introduced China's development achievements and experience. He said that every country has the right to choose a development path that suits its national conditions and realities. China is ready to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning with Cyprus, and be a companion and good partner on the road to modernization.

Annita Demetriou said that Cyprus firmly pursues the one-China principle and is ready to further promote cooperation with China in various fields, such as high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, economy, trade and people-to-people exchanges, and promote the development of Cyprus-China and Europe-China relations. The Cypriot House of Representatives is ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the NPC of China, and make positive contributions as legislative bodies to deepening the friendly relations between the two countries.

Zheng Jianbang was present at the talks.