Speech by the President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades,
at Renmin University in Beijing
“One Belt, One Road”
Mr. Rector,
Distinguished members of the Faculty of the
University,
Dear students,
Ι t is a great honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to speak
at Renmin University, a truly distinguished and historic institution, a major
research centre of over 25,000 students, and home to outstanding scholars.
Engaging in a spirited and fruitful dialogue with the academic
community is truly precious for us politicians, and I am therefore humbled by
the invitation.
I would like to offer my profound appreciation to this
highly-esteemed institution for providing me a platform to share some of my
thoughts on the “One Belt, One Road” Initiative.
It has become repetitive to declare that the globe is confronted with
great challenges, the most important being security and stability and the quest
for peace and prosperity. This has been the case since time immemorial, the
twenty-first century being no exception.
These challenges are clear and present, but I would like to discuss
an even greater challenge; a challenge that encompasses past, present, and
future.
I am referring to the challenge of discovering and implementing a
clear vision, and having the courage and the means to transform vision into
reality.
History gives us some great paradigms on visionary ideas that were
transformed into reality by enlightened men, who worked tirelessly to pave the
way to make the world a better place.
Such is the case, for example, of the vision for a united Europe after
the catastrophic World War Two.
Visionary leaders, such as Jean Monnet and Robert Schuman, inspired
the creation of a peaceful, united and prosperous Europe through the
reconciliation of European nations and through the promotion of the idea of an
economic European Union.
Today, I firmly believe that the initiative of President Xi Jinping’s
“One Belt, One Road”, which was announced in 2013, constitutes another great
vision.
The “One Belt, One Road” initiative, based on the re-inauguration of
the ancient routes that connected Asia and Europe two thousand years ago, comes
to buttress the existing international multilateral economic order, not to
replace it, by adding new dimensions to the way we communicate and trade.
The latest economic crisis, which started in 2008 and unfortunately
still lingers on, continues to test the endurance of the current international
economic system and demands new and imaginative responses.
The “One Belt, One Road’’ Initiative comes at a propitious moment. It
is indeed an ambitious project covering a geographical region that stretches
from East Asia to Europe. It seeks to create a mutually beneficial framework,
connecting the vibrant East Asia economic circle at one end, and the European
economic circle at the other. Cooperation among Asia and Europe becomes the
common denominator.
The Initiative can certainly provide the impetus needed to break the
current economic stagnation. It can attract investments, combat unemployment,
assist in the efforts to eradicate poverty and address under-development.
A decisive step to this end has been taken with the establishment of
the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank (AIIB), an international financial
institution which is focused on supporting infrastructure construction in the
Asia-Pacific region. Considering the overwhelming participation by countries –
including Cyprus - in the establishment of the AIIB, as part of the “One Belt,
One Road” development strategy, I believe that it is apparent that this
Initiative can work as a driving force for the world economy in the coming
years.
In essence, the “One Belt, One Road” can constitute the beginning,
the first step on a never-ending journey, in what is a welcome and pioneering
effort. And as a Chinese proverb by the Chinese philosopher Laozi goes, “a
journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.
The Republic of Cyprus and the People’s Republic of China enjoy
excellent and cordial relations in all fields since the establishment of their
diplomatic relations in 1971. We share common values and have established mutual
understanding on various regional and international issues.
Geography matters, and in the case of my country, it is an
indispensable element of our participation in the Initiative. Being at the
European Union’s south-most eastern border, Cyprus essentially lies at the
crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, and can therefore be an active player in
promoting the values and aims of the Silk Road Initiative.
During the past 30 years, Cyprus has evolved progressively into a
successful international business center and an important international maritime
player. Having one of the largest maritime registry in the world, the country is
considered today to be an important international shipping player. It has the
third largest fleet within the European Union with a percentage of over 12% of
the total fleet of the 28 EU member states.
Every day, vessels flying the Cypriot flag are connecting Asia and
Europe in a continuous process of promoting Asia-Europe cooperation. With that
said, it is clear that Cyprus can be used as a transit point in the Silk Road
Maritime Trade Routes, thereby successfully promoting the aims and values of the
Silk Maritime Road.
This Initiative is certainly timely for Cyprus, which is recovering
fast from an unprecedented economic crisis, as it provides an additional
incentive to our efforts of providing new opportunities to our people and our
business community.
Taking this opportunity I would like to underline that my Government
is now pushing through important economic reforms that will maximize further our
country’s growth potential and deliver new investment opportunities to the
private sector. In this way, Cyprus is reaffirming its reputation as a centre of
excellence for international investment and business activity.
Therefore, Cyprus has many reasons to see that the Initiative is
crowned with the success it fully deserves.
Europe also has many reasons to embrace this Initiative. The People’s
Republic of China and the European Union are close economic partners and the
foundations of their Strategic Partnership have been well laid. This stable and
progressive relation is well reflected in the 40 years of China-EU diplomatic
relations and both sides can feel proud of their achievements during this
period.
The determination of both sides - China and EU - to surge ahead and
enhance their Strategic Partnership into new areas, including the prospects
rising from the One Belt One Road, can be the guiding principles of their future
relation. In other words, the process can create a win-win situation.
Perhaps the most important dimension of this Initiative is that it
concerns the youth, who, after all, constitute the future of our societies.
The ‘’One Belt, One Road Initiative’’ can provide all the necessary
elements for better education as well as conditions for socio-economic
development though growth.
It also provides the incentive for cooperation in the academic level
by encouraging educational and cultural exchanges, for the benefit of the
societies of all the participating countries along the land and maritime routes
of the Silk Road.
President Xi Jinping’s vision, as encapsulated in the “One Belt, One
Road’’ Initiative, becomes our vision as well. It provides the stimulus; it
furnishes the means and ways to build a brighter future with deeper cooperation,
mutual prosperity and respect.
It is up to us to seize this moment and to return to the
well-trodden, but dynamically new path, where East meets West. It is high time
for us to continue the journey of the Silk Road.
We stand ready to be part of this effort and convey the world the
message that common values and shared vision can bring us together and create,
along the Silk Road, the conditions for a success story.
