Xi Jinping says win-win cooperation, exchanges with Greece continue

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Beijing, where Xi stressed the importance of further opening up and cooperation with the Greek side in advancing the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership.

Win-win cooperation and exchanges between civilizations are the two bridges for China-Greece relationship, Xi noted, while also voicing hope for deep cooperation in areas including transportation, shipping, energy, communications, green and digital economy, among others.

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 global community of shared future.

Noting this year marks the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the European Union (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 that 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 high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, 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 on 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.

(With input from Xinhua)