The embassy of China in Cyprus and Cyprus' Paphos municipality marked 45 years of friendship and diplomatic relations between China and Cyprus with the Paphos China Cultural Night on Friday.

The cultural night, an annual event established many years ago, also marked the National Day of China and the Independence Day of Cyprus, celebrated by both countries on October 1.

Paphos Mayor Phedonas Phedonos, when welcoming Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus Huang Xingyuan, said the city has every reason to upgrade the historic ties of friendship and brotherhood between Cyprus and China in all fields.

He mentioned that over the last few years, several Chinese chose Paphos to set up residence or make investment, which has contributed to the revival of local economy following the economic crisis that hit Cyprus in 2013.

Huang stressed that the exchanges and cooperation in the sectors of tourism and investment have become an important factor of bilateral relations.

He added that the annual cultural night has become a platform that contributed towards deepening the friendship between the people of the two countries.

Hundreds of Chinese living in Cyprus and local people enjoyed performance of Chinese and traditional Cypriot music, dancing and singing.

Source : XINHUA