On July 11th, 2019, CKGSB Founding Dean, Xiang Bing was invited by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to the European University Cyprus in the Republic of Cyprus to deliver a keynote speech at the ‘Global Transformative Changes and Potential Opportunities for Cyprus’ colloquium.
On July 11th, 2019, CKGSB Founding Dean, Xiang Bing was invited by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to the European University Cyprus in the Republic of Cyprus to deliver a keynote speech at the ‘Global Transformative Changes and Potential Opportunities for Cyprus’ colloquium. Mr. Huang Xingyuan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Cyprus, and H.E. Demetris Syllouris, the President of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus also addressed the colloquium.
Dean Xiang Bing delivering his keynote speech
During his keynote speech, Dean Xiang Bing expounded on the disruptive world order and how Cyprus should use this to their advantage. “In this era of transformative change, a country needs to draw on lessons from the past and from other countries and choose the most suitable development models.” Whilst the global trade and investment landscape is rapidly reconfiguring, Dean Xiang iterated that Cyprus should embrace technology revolutions and innovations such as AI and Internet of Things, in order to benefit from these changes. He also stated that Cyprus should capitalize on its strategic advantages such as location and favorable and transparent business atmosphere to further foster disruptions and to brand itself as “the Silicon Valley of Europe, as well as the prominent regional education center.”
Mr. Huang Xingyuan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Cyprus opening the colloquium
Ambassador Huang Xingyuan opened the colloquium by highlighting how the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an important aid to economic globalization, whilst giving praise to Cyprus’ contribution to not only its own, but the region’s prosperity. “The Belt and Road Initiative aims to build a platform for cooperation among countries to foster a global economy in which all players are equal and welcome. Despite being small in size and population, Cyprus enjoys a pivotal geographic position that enables it to bridge resources and personnel from Asia, Europe and Africa under the framework of the BRI.”
H.E. Demetris Syllouris, the President of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus delivering his speech
H.E. Demetris Syllouris, the President of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus, echoed Ambassador Huang’s point of view that Cyprus “provides an important geostrategic advantage at the crossroads of three continents”. He believes that “a comprehensive strategic partnership between Europe and Asia in a multitude of areas, based on adherence to market rules and international norms and standards, will be mutually beneficial and further reinforce economic, trade and investment relations between our two continents. It is for this reason that, from the very beginning, Cyprus supported the Belt and Road Initiative. We strongly advocate that this project would be to Europe’s best interests and its efforts to achieve sustainable growth.”
