Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping met in Beijing Monday with Andros Kyprianou, general secretary of the Progressive Party of the Working People of Cyprus.

Xi said China and Cyprus have maintained sound relations since they forged diplomatic ties nearly four decades ago, sharing mutual trust and cooperation in international affairs.

Xi expressed appreciation for the support of Cyprus on the one-China policy and on issues concerning China's core interests. He reaffirmed China's support for the resolution of Cyprus issues in accordance with United Nations' policy.

On party-to-party relations, Xi said the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Progressive Party of the Working People of Cyprus, which has the biggest number of seats in the island's House of Representatives but not a majority; are facing developmental tasks.

The exchanges of the two ruling parties of their respective countries will promote governance capability and benefit both countries and their peoples, Xi said.

Kyprianou said he is committed to advancing cooperation between the parties and the two countries.

A memorandum of understanding was signed during Kyprianou's stay in Beijing to further exchanges between the CPC and the Progressive Party of the Working People of Cyprus.

Kyprianou is in China at the invitation of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.

The Progressive Party of the Working People is a communist-allied party in the Republic of Cyprus. It supports a federal solution of the internal aspects of the division of Cyprus and places particular emphasis on rapprochement with the Turkish Cypriots.

(Xinhua News Agency September 8, 2009)