¡¡¡¡ATHENS, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice-Premier Li Lanqing on Monday met with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, and both sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in economy, trade, sea transportation, culture, science and education.

¡¡¡¡Li said that China and Greece share a common or similar position on many international and regional matters, and the two countries coordinate closely and support each other in the international organizations.

¡¡¡¡"We are confident that the relations between China and Greece will have a bright future," Li said.

¡¡¡¡The Chinese vice-premier said that it will be a good chance forthe two countries to expand bilateral cooperation because Greece will host the 2004 Olympic Games and China will host the Games either in 2008.

¡¡¡¡He said China would like to cooperate with Greece within the framework of hosting Olympic Games so as to promote tourism in both countries.

¡¡¡¡For his part, Simitis said that in recent years China and Greece had closed political exchanges, saying that he is looking forward to visiting China in the near future.

¡¡¡¡Simitis said that there will be great potentials in developing economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. Greek entrepreneurs are willing to explore ways to invest in the Chinese market.

¡¡¡¡The Chinese vice-premier arrived in Greece on Saturday for a four-day official visit. Greece is Li's first leg of his three-nation tour, which will also take him to Italy and Singapore. Enditem

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