China and Cyprus pledged yesterday to elevate economic and trade co-operation to a higher level with the 35th anniversary of their diplomatic relations as the staring point.

President Hu Jintao and his Cyprus counterpart Tassos Papadopoulos made the commitment at their meeting yesterday in Beijing.

China is willing to increase imports from Cyprus, promote investment of Chinese companies, help in infrastructure construction, and cement the bilateral co-operation on sea transportation, President Hu said at the meeting.

He said China valued the friendship between the two countries, which has stood the test of time and changes on the international arena, and would make continued efforts to develop a long-term and stable friendly co-operative relationship with Cyprus.

Hu also expressed appreciation for Cyprus's solid support on the question of Taiwan, and the positive efforts the country has made as a EU member to promote China-EU relations.

The two presidents also witnessed the signing of three agreements of co-operation in the fields of culture, health, and trade.

At the invitation of President Hu, Tassos Papadopoulos arrived in Shanghai on Monday to start his five-day state visit to China.

His visit coincides with the 35th anniversary of China-Cyprus diplomatic relations, which were forged on December 14, 1971.

With more than 60 entrepreneurs from 48 companies in Cyprus in Papadopoulos's entourage, the visit also provides an opportunity to explore new economic and trade partnerships.

Source: China Daily