China and Greece will continue efforts to build a high-quality Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and promote the healthy development of bilateral ties and dialogue between China and Europe.

The two nations reached the consensus during a visit by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Athens on Wednesday, the first stop of his European tour. 

China, Greece to deepen practical cooperation

Wang said relations between the two countries have maintained stable and healthy development despite the uncertain international situation when meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday. The Chinese minister credited the two ancient civilizations' wisdom in viewing each other's development with a calm and tolerant attitude and planning and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation from a long-term strategic perspective.

China, he said, is willing to work with Greece to build the BRI with high quality, turn the Piraeus Port into a world-class port, and accelerate the construction of the China-Europe Land-Sea Express and expand into new areas of cooperation such as renewable energy.

Mitsotakis said Greece attaches great importance to developing relations with China and has never agreed with anti-China or Sinophobic arguments.

He said his country appreciates China's achievements in environmental protection and is willing to expand cooperation in green development and science and technology innovation to jointly address global challenges such as climate change.

In talks with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, the two countries agreed to continue to support each other's core interests and major concerns, further deepen practical cooperation in all areas and push for new progress in China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership.

Dendias said that Greece will implement key cooperation projects under the BRI and looks forward to further expanding economy, trade, energy, maritime and shipbuilding cooperation with China. 

No fundamental conflict of interest between China, EU 

On China-Europe relations, Wang told Mitsotakis that there is no fundamental conflict of interest or geopolitical conflict between China and the continent, adding that both sides are partners, not adversaries, and their cooperation far outweighs their differences.

In talks with Dendias, he stressed that China always supports the EU in its development, integration process and enhancing strategic autonomy.

Mitsotakis said Greece supports the EU in developing friendly relations with China and believes that the two sides can achieve healthy, long-term bilateral development through communication and exchanges.

Dendias also agreed that EU-China cooperation enjoys broad prospects and will help the EU to become an independent and strong international power. 

In a joint press conference after the meeting, Wang and Dendias said the two countries have agreed to jointly establish research centers dedicated to the study of different civilizations and promote a forum on ancient civilizations. 

Wang's visit to Athens came just a week after the Olympic flame of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games was handed over to Beijing organizers at Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. "Beijing is ready," Wang said. "We are confident of hosting a simple, safe and splendid Winter Olympics."

He welcomed athletes from Greece and other countries to compete in Beijing and carry forward the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. "Healthy and fair sport will help improve understanding among different countries," he said.

In a written interview with Greek newspaper Ta Nea (The News) during the visit, Wang also noted that from the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Greece has been actively supporting Olympic cooperation between the two countries and jointly opposing the politicization of sports.