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“Cyprus is the Silicon Valley of Europe”, says top Chinese academic

Posted: July 24, 2019

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Cyprus and European University Cyprus organized a colloquium on "The Role of Globalization in the era of the One Belt, One Road Initiative", with keynote speaker the internationally renowned Professor Xiang Bing. He is the Founding Dean of China Business and Globalization at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business.

The event was also attended by President of the House of Representatives Demetris Syllouris, the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Vassiliki Anastasiadou; the former President of the Republic of Cyprus George Vassiliou, the MP for Rodopi (Greece) Evripides Stylianidis, Archimandrite Theologos Alexandrakis, the Deputy Director of the Pastoral Training Foundation of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens, the President of the Pancyprian Organisation of Greek Teachers (POED) Filios Fylaktou, the President and CEO of European University Cyprus Dr. Christoforos Hadjikyprianou, academics, diplomats, enterpreneurs, students and others.

In his speech, Professor Xiang Bing referred extensively to China's role in the globalized Economy and made significant remarks on Cyprus. He said that "there are great opportunities for Cyprus, since Europe will have to grow in the development of new technologies such as robotics and web-based designs that are lagging far behind … I see the possibility for Cyprus to become the Silicon Valley of Europe. It is not only due to your natural beauties, your wonderful Universities and buildings. You are a member of the European Union, while you are also very close to Israel and with the passport policy you can attract talent in the field of advanced technology. You have all the "resources'' to convert into the Silicon Valley of Europe. It is possible! Also, due to its strategic position, Cyprus can become a Global Educational Center. It could offer educational services to Asia, Africa and Europe”.

The Rector of European University Cyprus, Professor Κostas Gouliamos, pointed out the importance of networks for human progress and said that "this is why I argue that the “One Belt, One Road” is a very, very, very important initiative. Because it connects people, countries, cultures, economies. President Xi's initiative is historic to the future course of mankind. It speaks of Peace, Growth and Wellbeing as the world's greatest challenges".

In his address, House President Dimitris Syllouris recalled that Cyprus supported the “Belt and Road” initiative of China's President Xi Jinping from the outset and it "symbolizes the historical ties and influences between the East and the West, reminding us of the ancient Silk Road". He concluded saying that "as you say in China, we are not friends because we trade commercially but we trade commercially because we are friends”.

His Excellency, China's Ambassador to Cyprus, Huang Xingyuan, said that "Cyprus has an important geographic position, with its open channels to international financial systems, it lies within the trade networks and maintains excellent relations with its neighbours. As such, it has the potential to become an important hub in the new silk roads. Both President Nikos Anastasiades and House President Dimitris Syllouris have expressed their willingness to participate actively in the One Belt, One Road Initiative".