Nov 3, 2023. Posted by Balkan Periscope - Hellas
Beijing.
Chinese
President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos
Mitsotakis in Beijing.
Noting China and Greece are partners in jointly building the Belt and Road and in exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, Xi pointed out that China-Greece relations have enjoyed sound development and sustained growth since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than half a century ago.
China
cherishes its traditional friendship with Greece and stands ready to work with
Greece to adhere to strategic guidance, openness and cooperation to promote
bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to shine in a new era, Xi said.
Mutually
beneficial cooperation and cultural exchanges are two major bonds of
China-Greece relations, Xi stressed, adding China is willing to enhance synergy
of development strategies with Greece, deepen cooperation in the fields of
transportation, shipping, energy, communications and finance, expand
cooperation opportunities in green economy, digital economy and scientific and
technological innovation, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and
push for the long-term, stable and sustainable development of Piraeus port.
Xi said
China encourages Chinese enterprises to invest in Greece, welcomes Greek
enterprises to participate in cooperation between China and Central and Eastern
European Countries, and welcomes more high-quality Greek products to the
Chinese market.
China
supports people-to-people and cultural exchange mechanisms such as the Center
of Chinese and Greek Ancient Civilizations and the Ancient Civilizations Forum,
and is willing to deepen exchanges and cooperation with Greece in fields such
as education, culture, scientific research, tourism and youth, promote
exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, strengthen international
communication and cooperation, advocate true multilateralism, and contribute
wisdom and strength to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Noting this
year marks the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership
between China and the EU, Xi said China-EU relations bear on the well-being of
their people and on world peace, stability and prosperity.
"The
sound development of China-EU relations cannot be achieved without
independence, mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation," Xi
added.
He said
China is ready to work with the EU to maintain a correct understanding of each
other, focus on consensus, grasp the direction, and comprehensively activate
mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.
"It is
hoped that Greece will continue to play a constructive role in this
regard," Xi added.
Noting
President Xi's successful state visit to Greece in 2019 left a deep impression
on the Greek people, Mitsotakis said since then, Greece-China relations have
maintained a strong momentum of development, and the economic cooperation
between the two countries has yielded remarkable results.
Greece is willing to continue to promote the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and further tap potential and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in such fields as shipbuilding, shipping and clean energy, and welcomes more Chinese tourists to visit Greece, Mitsotakis said.
He said
Greece is ready to strengthen personnel exchanges with China, deepen cultural
and people-to-people exchanges, jointly run well the Center of Greek and
Chinese Ancient Civilizations, advocate mutual learning, and promote the
establishment of more harmonious and balanced international relations.
Greece
firmly adheres to the one-China policy, highly appreciates China's fair
position in international and regional affairs, and is willing to cooperate
closely with China on multilateral occasions, Mitsotakis said.
Noting
Greece is willing to be a bridge for EU-China cooperation, Mitsotakis said the
EU and China can work hand in hand in the spirit of equality and mutual
respect, and Greece is willing to continue to actively promote the healthy
development of EU-China relations.
Xinhua