China, Greece urged to promote mutual learning

President Xi Jinping called on China and Greece to better align their development strategies, deepen cooperation in areas such as transportation and shipping and promote mutual learning between the two civilizations during a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Beijing on Friday.

Xi also expressed China's willingness to explore opportunities with Greece in the green economy and digital economy, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and push for the steady and sustainable long-term development of the Piraeus port project.

China encourages its companies to invest and do business in Greece and welcomes Greek companies to participate in cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries, he said, noting that more high-quality Greek products are welcome to enter the Chinese market.

Xi stressed the need for the two countries to leverage their cultural strengths to promote mutual learning, strengthen international collaboration and advocate true multilateralism in order to contribute wisdom and strength to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

As this year marks the 20th anniversary of establishing the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the European Union, Xi said that the sound development of China-EU relations relies on independence, mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation.

China is willing to work together with the EU side to uphold correct mutual understanding, focus on consensus, maintain the correct direction and fully activate mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields, Xi said, adding that it is hoped that Greece will continue to play a constructive role in this regard.

Mitsotakis, who paid an official visit to China from Thursday to Friday, said the Piraeus port project has become a successful example of Greece-China cooperation that benefits both peoples.

Greece is willing to further tap the potential of cooperation with China in shipping and clean energy, deepen people-to-people exchanges and make international relations more balanced, he said, expressing his country's readiness to be the bridge of EU-China cooperation.

Premier Li Qiang held a welcoming ceremony for the Greek prime minister on Friday. During their talks, Li said that the two countries have achieved fruitful results in practical cooperation in recent years that continuously benefited the two peoples.

China will work with Greece to carry forward the good tradition of assisting each other on the basis of mutual respect and mutual trust, keep supporting each other on issues concerning respective core interests and major concerns and walk hand in hand on the path toward modernization, Li said.

Mitsotakis said his country will provide more convenience for Chinese investors and will work with China to jointly address climate change and other global challenges.

Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, also met with the Greek prime minister on Friday in Beijing.