Cyprus president committed to further deepening relations with China

NICOSIA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said here Friday his government is committed to further widening and deepening the already excellent relations with China.

Delivering a speech at a dinner party organized by Cyprus-China Business Association, Anastasiades said over the last few years, the relations between Cyprus and China has been growing at all levels and in all fields. More high-level visits, bilateral trade and tourist exchanges have taken place between the two countries, he said.

"In this respect, I am convinced that our relations will continue to significantly evolve and upgrade in the years ahead, for the mutual benefit of our two peoples," he said.

Anastasiades said despite the current economic difficulties Cyprus is facing, the country still has some advantages in doing business. For example, it has a highly professional workforce, a fully EU harmonized tax and legal system and one of the lowest and most competitive corporate tax rates in Europe which stands at 12.5 percent, he said.

With the gas discovered in the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone and the development of renewable energy sources, the president said the two countries can explore cooperations in the above areas as well as the areas of tourism, real estates, telecommunications, shipping, health, education and commerce.

Anastasiades sent a message to Chinese business community that Cyprus will remain a reliable partner to all those entrepreneurs and investors interested in international expansion.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-07/13/c_132537097.htm