A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) met in Nicosia Monday with Cyprus House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias.

Wu Guanzheng, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said that China cherishes its friendship with Cyprus and values bilateral cooperation in all fields.

China holds that all countries, big or small, rich or poor, are equal members of the international community and should respect and treat each other in a fair and friendly manner, Wu said.

The Chinese new leadership will make joint efforts with Cyprus to further bilateral ties, Wu said. The parliaments of the two countries play an important role in enhancing ties between the two countries and the two peoples, which he hopes the two parliaments do more to this end.

Wu also spoke highly of the party-to-party relationship between the two nations, saying the Progressive Party of the Working People led by Christofias plays an important role in Cyprus and the CPC is willing to enhance exchanges and cooperation with it, Wu said.

Christofias said China has, in many years, adhered to the principled stance of upholding the international norms, promoting justice and opposing power politics, which he said Cyprus appreciates.

Cyprus thanked China's consistent stance on Cyprus' struggle to regain its territorial integrity, he said.

On bilateral relationship, Christofias said various parties in Cyprus value China's positive roles in international affairs and feel glad about the CPC's achievements in building socialism with Chinese characteristics.

A stable yet strong China caters to the need of Asia and the world at large, he said.

The Cyprus government and people wish the Chinese party and people to score newer yet greater progress in implementing the resolutions adopted at the 16th National Congress of the CPC.

Soon after the meeting, Wu met with Nikos Anastasiades, president of the Democratic Rally of Cyprus, admiring his efforts in promoting the China-Cyprus relations.

The two sides agreed to continue to promote the relations between the two parties and the two countries.

Later on Monday, Wu, who kicked off his official good-will visit to Cyprus last Saturday, is scheduled to leave for Syria, the last leg of his three-nation Middle East tour.

Also on Monday, Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee who is accompanying Wu on the current tour, met with leaders of four Cypriot parties.

(Xinhua News Agency October 28, 2003)