China’s new role in the Middle East under the microscope at UNIC

CCEIA Symposium on the “One Belt One Road” Initiative

The changes in the Middle East, China’s objectives in the region through its far-reaching economic and political Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), also known as the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, as well as the role of Cyprus and other neighbouring countries, were at the heart of a symposium organised by the Cyprus Centre for European and International Affairs (CCEIA) at the University of Nicosia, in collaboration with UNIC’s School of Law and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).

In his welcome address, the President of the House of Representatives, Mr Demetris Syllouris, touched upon the importance of relations between the EU and China, underscoring the particular contribution of Cyprus as a bridge for cooperation between Europe and Asia more widely. Mr Syllouris referred to China’s special ties with Cyprus, the ongoing support of the Cypriot government for the One China policy, and expressed gratitude for Beijing’s support of Republic of Cyprus positions on the solution to the Cyprus Problem.

The Honourable Mr Huang Xingyuan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Cyprus, focused on the expanding Belt and Road Initiative, which was put into practice five years ago by the current president of the country, Xi Jinping. According to the Ambassador, BRI aims at the broadest possible cooperation between China and other countries around the world. In this context, he highlighted the enduring role of Cyprus that previously connected China with the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean through central and western Asia, as well as the strong ties between the two countries.

Professor Achilles Emilianides, Dean of the School of Law at UNIC, spoke about the growing role of Beijing in the Middle East and the continuing excellent relations between Cyprus and China. After sharing that UNIC was the first university in Cyprus to offer a recognised degree in International Relations, he noted that the cooperation between the School of Law and CASS is an important one, cultivating even deeper ties to a major player on the world stage.

In his address, Professor Andreas Theophanous, President of the Cyprus Centre for European and International Affairs, referred to the varied initiatives the Centre has been taking over for years in examining major international issues, including key developments in the particularly sensitive Eastern Mediterranean and wider Middle East region.