The Cyprus issue and the bilateral ties were discussed during a meeting the FMs of Cyprus and China had on Monday.

Chinese FM met with his counterpart at Larnaka International Airport, en route to Africa.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, FM Nicos Christodoulides said that he had the opportunity to discuss the bilateral relations with his counterpart Wang Yi, pointing out that this year marks 50 years of bilateral relations between the two countries. He said that the Chinese Minister extended an invitation to him to visit China.

They also discussed the Cyprus problem as China is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the Council plays a role at a moment when Turkey`s provocations in Cyprus` exclusive economic zone and at Varosha are apparent and when the UN Secretary General`s attempt to convene an informal meeting on Cyprus are underway.

He also said that they examined the EU-China relations.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. e latest UN backed round of talks took place in the Swiss resort of Crans Montana but failed to yield any results.

The Turkish side illegally opened on October 8 part of the beach of the abandoned town of Famagusta, in violation to numerous UN resolutions.
 
Varosha, the fenced off section of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta, is often described as a ‘ghost town’. UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN. UN Security Council resolution 789 (1992) also urges that with a view to the implementation of resolution 550 (1984), the area at present under the control of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus be extended to include Varosha.