China, Greece agree to enhance comprehensive strategic partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on the Rhodes Island in Greece, July 13, 2014. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

RHODES, Greece, July 13 -- Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday vowed to further enhance the comprehensive strategic partnership with Greece.

In a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, Xi said Greece is a friendly and reliable friend of China in the European Union (EU), and that the two countries have enjoyed deep friendship as they showed mutual understanding and support on matters relating to each other's core interests and major concerns, and help each other in times of difficulty.

"The Chinese side will continue to support Greece on sovereign debt issues and efforts to promote economic recovery," said the Chinese president. "China is ready to share its development opportunities with Greece and further enhance the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership."

The two sides, said Xi, should maintain close high-level exchanges and focus on cooperation in transportation infrastructure, maritime, energy and green economy.

The Chinese side supports Chinese companies to properly manage the Piraeus port project and actively participate in the technical renovation of Greek railways, making Greece an important bridgehead of China-EU cooperation.

China attaches great importance to Greece's important position in the Mediterranean Sea and Southern Europe, said Xi, hoping that China-Greece cooperation would spearhead China's cooperation with other countries in the region.

Moreover, China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Greece in international affairs, jointly promote the democratization of international relations, safeguard world peace and promote common development, said Xi.

The Chinese president stressed that Beijing firmly supports Europe's integration and stands ready to build peace, growth, reform and civilization partnerships with Europe.