The Belt and Road Initiative has steadily evolved from a grand vision into concrete actions with tangible results, which have indeed exceeded expectations, a top Cypriot legislator has said.
"The progress achieved to date is a true testament (to the fact) that mutually beneficial cooperation and joint contributions solidify interrelations and interactions among neighboring countries and continents," said Demetris Syllouris, head of Cyprus House of Representatives, in a recent interview with Xinhua.
He added that as the ancient Silk Road did 2,000 years ago, the Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, stands to achieve more than just creating flourishing trade routes between Asia, Africa and Europe.
The initiative turns into practice the concept of building a community of shared future, as it maintains the prospect of boosting investment and development, lowering unemployment and enhancing capital and human mobility, Syllouris said.
"Transcending borders, China's initiative is an open and inclusive platform, which has been embraced by its many partners, not only because of its shared benefits, but also due to its contribution to the promotion of cultural exchanges and understanding," Syllouris added.
He also noted that this is a long-term and ambitious endeavor, which promotes conditions for peace, stability and prosperity and ultimately facilitates the development of a global society.
Syllouris, who recently paid a visit to China, said the country's new roadmap is increasingly gaining momentum, and has a solid positive impact on the global economic scene by creating multi-faceted connectivity ties with other nations on trade, finance, infrastructure, industry and innovation.
"In addition, China has focused during the past years on strengthening people-to-people connectivity, through cooperation in science, education and culture," he said.
Syllouris recalled that the "Mutual Recognition Agreement for Higher Education Titles" signed between Cyprus and China has contributed to this concept, by enhancing the cooperation between the two countries in new fields, such as education, culture, art and innovation.
Regarding the economy, Syllouris said that Cyprus, as a newly accepted member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as well as Asian Development Bank, may seize opportunities in investment capital and maximize its economic ties with China and other Asian countries, by forming financial alliances in the interests of the regional and global economy.
"Cyprus is ready to work closely with China in order to utilize the vast prospects of further collaboration, frequent interaction and exchange of capital and investments," Syllouris said.
"We have pledged to explore new areas of collaboration, such as infrastructure, renewable energy and biotechnology," he said.
Syllouris said that the close and friendly relations between China and Cyprus stem from shared principles and mutual understanding, which have reached far beyond the bilateral level to the international political scene "where our two countries express reciprocal support and solidarity whenever needed."
"We fully support the principle of 'one China - one Cyprus,' which represents the foundation of our relations, our understanding of respective national issues and our shared principles on many international and regional issues," Syllouris added.
He also welcomed the "Heart to Heart" cultural exchange program launched by the Chinese Embassy in order to facilitate new ways for more Cypriots to gain a better understanding of China and the Chinese people.
He said that the feelings of trust and friendship can only grow with more communication and knowledge of the respective cultures of the two peoples.