China says Cyprus issue be resolved through dialogue

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Friday that the Cyprus issue should be resolved through dialogue based on relevant UN resolutions, hoping any scenario will take into consideration concerns and interests of both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.

"As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China will continue to play its positive role in solving the Cyprus issue," said Wen in a meeting with President of Cyprus Tassos Papadopoulos.

China has always insisted that independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus be fully respected, Wen added.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey militarily intervened and occupied the north of Cyprus following a coup by a group of Greek officers. The internationally-recognized Republic of Cyprus entered the EU in 2004 in the name of the whole island.

Wen urged the two countries to further trade cooperation and investment by encouraging direct contacts and exchanges between enterprises, saying China expects more enterprises to invest in Cyprus while welcoming Cypriot businessmen to enter the Chinese market.

China spoke highly of Cyprus's support in lobbying the EU to recognize China's full market economy status at an early date, said Wen.

Papadopoulos, who is paying a five-day state visit to China, extended his thanks for China's just stance on the Cyprus issue, vowing to strengthen trade cooperation between the two countries.

Source: Xinhua