Cyprus ambassador notes Suzhou’s blend of heritage and technology
Cyprus’ Ambassador to China, Kula Sophianou, during a visit to Suzhou in China’s Jiangsu Province, noted the city’s combination of cultural heritage, modern industry and technological development. She took part in a program for foreign diplomats organized by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which covered Shanghai and Jiangsu.
According to ECNS, the diplomat explored Suzhou’s waterscapes and the operations of a local company in the low-altitude economy sector. She said the city is known for its classical gardens, canals and cultural heritage, while also serving as a center of modern industry and innovation. Sophianou stated that heritage preservation, science, technology and forward-looking planning can complement one another.
Drones for early warning
The ambassador was most impressed by drones which, she said, can detect forest fires. This enables relevant authorities to receive early warnings and respond in a timely manner. Sophianou linked such technologies to environmental protection and residents’ safety, noting that forest fires are becoming more frequent worldwide under the impact of climate change.
She stressed that the goal of urban governance is to improve people’s daily lives, and that technologies should focus on the needs of the community.
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Digital solutions in Cyprus
Sophianou also spoke about digital projects in Cyprus. Nicosia’s smart city plan provides for the use of digital tools to manage parking, lighting, waste and environmental monitoring, as well as to provide information on available parking spaces. In Limassol, services providing parking information and smart lighting systems are operating to improve energy efficiency. The city also brings together public institutions, businesses, researchers and residents to work on a climate-neutrality roadmap.
The ambassador noted that Cyprus has made artificial intelligence one of the key areas of digital transformation, and that the national strategy in this field sets out a plan through 2032. She also referred to the Greek word polis, which is associated with the concept of a political community, and the Chinese term shi min, meaning urban residents. In her view, both traditions emphasize that a city is a community of people and that citizens should be at the center of public life.
Sophianou added that 2026 marks 55 years since diplomatic relations were established between Cyprus and China. She expressed hope for an exchange of practical experience in sustainable housing, urban ecology, heritage protection and people-centered public services.
