Vice Premier Li Lanqing Meets Greek PM

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, May 22, 2002

Vice Premier Li Lanqing Meets Greek PM

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Vice Premier Li Lanqing Meets Greek PM

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 for the two countries to expand bilateral cooperation because Greece will host the 2004 Olympic Games and China will host it 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.

Great potentials in cooperation between the two sides

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

There will be great potentials in developing economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, Simitis said, adding that 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.

China and Greece

I. Political Relations

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on June 5, 1972, the bilateral relations have witnessed smooth development. In the 1980's, the Prime Ministers of the two countries exchanged visits. The two sides cooperated successfully in the political, economic, cultural, scientific and technological, and military areas.

II. Economic and trade relations

In the early days after the establishment of diplomatic relations, the bilateral trade volume was only US$1.6 million. In the recent years, the Sino-Greek trade has developed rapidly. The Sino-Greek economic and technological cooperation has always focused on sea transportation. By the end of 2000, Greece had invested 29 projects in China with a contractual investment US$ 57.39 million and an actual input of US$ 15.29 million.

III. Exchanges and cooperation in other fields

In accordance with the cultural agreement between China and Greece, the two sides continued to sign executive programs of the cultural exchange agreement for terms ranging from 3 to 4 years from 1985. In August 1998 and November 1999, the Greek Chief of Staff General and the Deputy Chief of General headed two delegations to visit China respectively.

Source from: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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