Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets
with Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis in Athens, capital of Greece,
Nov. 25, 2008.(Xinhua Photo) Photo
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ATHENS,
Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said here on Tuesday that China
hopes to push its ties with Greece to a higher level.
The Chinese government has attached great importance
to its relations with Greece and has been viewing the bilateral ties from a
strategic and long-term perspective, Hu said during his meeting with Greek Prime
Minister Costas Karamanlis.
China hopes to expand the scope of shared interests
with Greece and push forward bilateral cooperation in various sectors, the
Chinese president said.
He suggested that the two sides set up a guideline
for long-term economic cooperation and establish a more effective communication
platform for enterprises on both sides.
He said that the Chinese government supports
competent Chinese enterprises to invest in Greece and carry out mutually
beneficial cooperation in telecom, energy, environmental protection, tourism and
isle development.
He also proposed the two countries pay more attention
to cooperation in the oceanic shipping industry.
In addition, China and Greece should devote major
efforts to strengthening cultural cooperation, he said.
The two sides should enhance cooperation in language
teaching, the protection of cultural relics, the press and publication, said the
Chinese president.
Efforts should also be made to advance academic and
youth exchanges and to explore cooperation potential in traditional medicine,
disaster prevention and relief, as well as in social development, the Chinese
president said.
Karamanlis said significant progress has been
achieved in the Greek-Chinese ties after the two nations formed the
comprehensive strategic partnership in 2006.
He echoed Hu by saying that the two sides should
enhance cooperation in oceanic shipping and tourism.
Greece hopes to become a gateway of Chinese
commodities into the region and welcomes Chinese people to visit the country, he
said.
The two sides should also strengthen cooperation
within international organizations as the world is faced with major challenges
like the current financial crisis, the Greek prime minister said.
The two leaders also discussed Sino-European
relations.
China is willing to work with its European partners
to properly handle major issues of common concern and resolve differences in an
effort to strengthen strategic mutual-trust, push forward cooperation in all
areas and ensure the growth of the Sino-Europe comprehensive strategic
partnership in the long run, Hu said.
He added that China appreciates the endeavor and
contribution by Greece to the development of Sino-European ties and hoped the
Greek side will play a more active role in the future.
For his part, Karamanlis promised to continue its
active efforts in boosting China-EU relations in an all-round manner.
Hu arrived in Athens on Monday for a state visit to
Greece, the last leg of his five-nation trip. He had earlier attended a
financial summit in Washington and paid state visits to Costa Rica, Cuba and
Peru, where he also attended the Economic Leaders' Informal Meeting of the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Lima.
ATHENS, Nov.
25 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Dimitris Sioufas,
president of Parliament of Greece, on Tuesday.
The friendly and cooperative ties between China and
Greece have brought concrete benefits to the two peoples, said Hu, who is on a
state visit to Greece. Full story
ATHENS, Nov. 25
(Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao said Tuesday he hoped China and
Greece will strengthen exchanges in the cultural field.
China and Greece, both boasting splendid
civilizations, have more reasons to join hands, not only in political and
economic fields, but also in the cultural area, Hu said when bidding farewell to
his Greek counterpart Karolos Papoulias. Full story
ATHENS,
Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao met separately Tuesday with
leaders of the the Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement and the Communist Party of
Greece and said that the Communist Party of China (CPC) would further enhance
its relations with the two Greek political parties.
During his meeting with George Papandreou, leader of
the Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement, Hu, also the CPC general secretary, said
that the movement is an important political force in Greece and an old friend of
the CPC. Full story
