Special report:   2008 Olympic Games

    NICOSIA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Cypriot President Demetris Christofias has spoken highly of the political relations between Cyprus and China ahead of his visit to Beijing for the Olympic opening ceremony.

    "The friendship between China and Cyprus goes a long way back and is based on very strong foundations," Christofias told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

    "We are grateful, as Cypriots, for the particularly helpful and constructive role China has played both as a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council and as an important factor in the international community, for the safeguarding of the independence and territorial integrity of the Cyprus Republic," he said.

    Christofias said China's firm support for the reunification of divided Cyprus on the basis of UN resolutions and decisions was the best proof of China's true friendship toward the Cypriot people.

    Meanwhile, the Cypriot president underlined his country's adherence to the one-China policy, especially within the framework of the European Union.

    "The Republic of Cyprus, as a member of the EU for the past four years, has proven itself to be a constant proponent and supporter of China by promoting the further deepening of relations between Brussels and Beijing and at the same time by watching over the undeviating commitment of the EU to the well-known one-China policy," Christofias said.

    He pointed out that any secessionist movements would affect the stability of the international system with unforeseeable consequences.

    Besides excellent political relations between Cyprus and China, the president believes that a lot more can be achieved toward the mutual strengthening of bilateral commercial and cultural relations.

    "We, as the government of the Cyprus Republic, shall move in this direction in the coming future," he said.

    Christofias also expressed his support and solidarity with the government and the friendly people of China in response to the devastating earthquake in China's Sichuan province in May.

    Christofias and his two predecessors had visited the Chinese embassy in Nicosia to express their condolences. The Cypriot government also donated a symbolic financial aid of 100,000 euros (156,000 U.S. dollars).

    The Cypriot president praised the immediate response of the Chinese government for the relief of the quake victims.

    "We should not overlook the fact that, in this kind of tremendous natural disaster, it is humanly impossible to respond fully in order to cover all the needs that arise," he said.

    "However, the efforts of the Chinese rescue parties and the broader state machinery are commendable and I am convinced that the evaluation of the contribution of the state machinery that is taking place today by those who are directly involved is a positive one," Christofias added.