The Chinese ambassador has emphasized the Port of Piraeus as a world-class logistics hub.
Chinese Ambassador Xiao Junzheng conveyed the message that Greece, situated at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa, serves as a significant gateway from Asia to Europe.
In an interview at the Chinese embassy in Athens, the Chinese ambassador to Greece highlighted the maritime collaboration between the two countries. “Both China and Greece are important maritime nations that highly value the protection and sustainable use of oceans and marine resources. We both have long-standing maritime cultures. China is a global leader in shipbuilding and goods imports and exports, while Greece is the world’s largest shipping nation. Our maritime cooperation has become a crucial link in China-Greece relations,” he stated.
He also made special mention of the importance of the Port of Piraeus as a top-tier global logistics hub. “With the joint efforts of China and Greece, the container throughput at the Port of Piraeus is among the highest in Europe, and China supports the development of the Port of Piraeus into a world-class logistics hub,” said Xiao Junzheng, according to an announcement from the Chinese embassy.
Outlining the level of Sino-Greek economic relations, he pointed out that since President Xi Jinping’s official visit to Greece in 2019, the volume of bilateral trade has significantly increased from $8.47 billion in 2019 to $13.6 billion in 2023, setting a new record. “Today, China is Greece’s third-largest trading partner worldwide and its largest trading partner outside the EU,” he noted.
Furthermore, he discussed the potential for deepening cooperation in transportation, green energy such as wind projects, telecommunications, and digital technology.
Additionally, he emphasized China’s willingness to facilitate the import of Greek products into the Chinese market and invited Greek businesses to invest in China. Citing Chinese statistics, in the first half of this year, Greek exports to China increased by 23.8% year-on-year, reaching $565 million. “The top five Greek exports to China are petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, ores, marble, and iron ore, while the exports with the highest growth rates include leather cleaning products, pyrite, petroleum products, copper scrap, and whey, with annual increases of 275%, 161.2%, 86.5%, 76.1%, and 53.1%, respectively,” he reported.
He also highlighted that China has invited Greece to be an honored guest at the 4th China-CEEC Expo in Ningbo in 2025, reminding that since the signing of the China-EU Geographical Indications Agreement in 2020, 16 Greek products have been included in the list, enhancing the international image and market value of Greek products and providing more high-quality options for Chinese consumers. “China is willing to actively expand imports of high-quality Greek agricultural products,” he added.
He did not fail to congratulate Greece on its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2025-2026. “As a permanent member of the Security Council, China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Greece at the United Nations to jointly promote the proper resolution of international and regional issues such as Ukraine and Gaza, to support and jointly uphold an international order based on international law, and to jointly contribute to promoting common security for humanity and lasting global peace,” the Chinese ambassador added.
Discussing the reforms being carried out in China, he mentioned that Chinese modernization focuses on people and promotes social equity and justice, improving the welfare of its people.
Regarding China’s international role, he emphasized that his country will remain committed to the fundamental national policy of opening up to the outside world and will adopt a more proactive opening-up strategy.
In this context, he estimated that the comprehensive deepening of China’s reforms and opening up will not only benefit the Chinese people but will also create new opportunities for countries worldwide, including Greece.
Finally, he referred to the Beijing Declaration on ending division and enhancing Palestinian national unity. He described it as “an important step towards resolving the Palestinian issue and achieving peace and stability in the Middle East.”
Source: AMNA
