House President praises Beijing Foreign Studies University contribution to diplomacy

President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou has praised the substantial contribution of the Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) to diplomacy and especially cultural diplomacy in conditions of global instability, in a speech before the University authorities and students, with whom a discussion was held.

She also expressed particular satisfaction with the operation of the Greek Studies Centre at the University and, at the same time, the establishment by European University Cyprus and the Academy of Social Sciences of China of the first Centre for Chinese Studies in Cyprus, which, she said, is the fifth in Europe and the fifteenth in the world.

According to a House of Representatives press release, as part of the official visit to China by the House President and a cross-party delegation, consisting of Stefanos Stefanou, Nicolas Papadopoulos and Nikos Tornaritis, visited Beijing Foreign Studies University, where they were warmly welcomed by the University Rector Jii Wenjian, Vice Rector Zhao Gang, professors and students of the Greek Studies Centre.

In her speech, Demetriou first praised the University's multifaceted work as a meeting and interaction point for different cultures and as a centre of excellence, which promotes interdisciplinary research and cooperation within China and with a significant number of universities around the world, noting at the same time BFSU’s essential contribution to diplomacy and especially cultural diplomacy in conditions of global instability.

She added that in a period of tension, the only way to survive is through diplomacy, cooperation and peaceful resolution of disputes and maintaining optimism for success in the effort to secure peace.

"As long as we adhere to our principles and values, we safeguard these very values for the benefit of our country and for the achievement of progress and development," she added in this regard.

(Source: CNA)