Study on the possibility of launching direct flights between China and Cyprus

Cyprus House President Demetris Syllouris and the delegation accompanying him during his visit to China discussed on Monday with the Chairperson of Guangdong Provincial People’s Congress the possibility of launching direct flights between China and Cyprus, and more specifically between Guangdong Province and Cyprus.

Syllouris said that the proposal to look into this issue was welcomed on the part of China and that a study will be conducted by a Chinese company on this issue. Moreover, he stressed that there must be more Chinese investments in Cyprus as is the case with other European countries. The meeting was held in Guangzhou city, last stop of the Cypriot delegation’s visit to China at the invitation of the National People’s Congress.                                                     

Furthermore, speaking during the meeting, Syllouris said that ways must be found for better and more cooperation between the educational systems of Cyprus and China, universities and research centres. He also suggested the encouragement of cultural and exchanges and tourism cooperation between the two countries and said that there is a big opportunity for Chinese products to be partly assembled in Cyprus, something that will help their further promotion in the EU.

Li noted on her part that the Guangdong Provincial People’s Congress supports Syllouris’ suggestions and will convey them to the local government. We will spare no efforts to support these suggestions, she added.

Li said that the visit of the Cypriot delegation shows the great attention that Cyprus pays to the cooperation with China. She noted that the imports and exports volume between Cyprus and Guangdong province increased during the last years and that according to statistics the total trade volume was 247 million US dollars in 2018, registering an increase of 169% compared to 2007. Li said that this figure makes her confident about the future cooperation.

On his part, Syllouris stressed the aim of discussing and implementing practical ways of cooperation between Cyprus and China. He noted that a lot have been done since his meeting with Li two years ago, noting at the same time that this is the first time that a President of the Cyprus House visits a country escorted by Cypriot businesspeople.

Referring to the China-Cyprus business forum organized on Tuesday in Guangzhou by the Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA) and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Syllouris said it will be attended by around 150 businesspeople. On her part, Li wished every success to the forum.

In statements later on, Syllouris said that they discussed about practical ways of cooperation, and more specifically about cooperation on education, research and technology issues as well as in the business sector.

Syllouris and the delegation visited on Monday morning the Mingzhu Exhibition Hall of Nansha District in Guangzhou , an Autonomous Vehicle Exhibition Hall, the Nansha port and an Artificial Intelligence company.