NICOSIA, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus, located along the ancient Silk Road, can play an important role as a stepping stone at the crossroads of Asia, Europe and Africa in the implementation of the 21st century Maritime Silk Road, said China's ambassador to Cyprus Huang Xingyuan on Tuesday.
The ambassador was talking at a thematic seminar of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Comprised of the land-based Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, the Belt and Road Initiative aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe, Africa and beyond.
China, the biggest developing nation in the world, and Cyprus, one of the smallest countries of Europe and the world, are a unique example of cooperation in both the political and economic sectors.
Huang stressed that there is a huge potential for Cyprus and China to build on this potential, strengthen coordination of development plans and share common interests under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Ambassador Huang called for hard work to expand and upgrade bilateral trade to double current trade volume and exceed 1 billion U.S. dollars within the next two years by implementing preferential policies.
He spoke in more general terms of global trade by advocating economic globalization, improving global governance, advocating free trade, and seeking mutual benefit and common development.
The Ambassador spoke against misinterpreting the meaning of market economy, setting up trade and investment barriers, and covertly implementing trade protectionism, especially "by the relevant stakeholders in Europe".
In relation to Cyprus, he said that both Chinese products and Cypriot products have their distinctive features, adding that both sides should take the opportunity of implementing preferential policies to achieve that target.
He suggested that towards this end people-to-people exchanges should be strengthened and mutual understanding be promoted.
Ambassador Huang suggested realizing direct flights as soon as possible, streamlining Cypriot visa procedures for Chinese citizens and communication between thing tanks, media and young people becoming more frequent.
