China and Greece: “natural partners” in shipping and ports, says Ambassador Fang Qiu

Nearly 500 guests — from the Greek parliament, government, governmental parties, equipped forces, business, academia, and the diplomatic corps — gathered successful Athens this week for a reception hosted by China’s ambassador, Fang Qiu. The lawsuit marked 76 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and served arsenic a showcase for the increasing ties betwixt Athens and Beijing.

Representing the Greek authorities were Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ioannis Plakiotakis, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas, and Deputy Foreign Minister Giannis Loverdos. All 3 stressed the value of Greek–Chinese relations and the imaginable for stronger bilateral ties successful the years ahead.

In his keynote address, Ambassador Fang underscored what helium called the “natural partnership” betwixt the 2 countries. He emphasized the strategical alignment successful shipping, larboard infrastructure, and transport, pointing to the Port of Piraeus arsenic a flagship task connected China’s Maritime Silk Road.

“The dependable upgrading of Piraeus has made it 1 of Europe’s starring instrumentality hubs,” Fang noted, arguing that the larboard exemplifies the win–win imaginable of cooperation. Beyond shipping, helium cited opportunities for deeper collaboration successful energy, culture, education, and technology.

The ceremonial highlighted however Piraeus — erstwhile a struggling Mediterranean larboard — has go cardinal to China’s planetary logistics network, portion reinforcing Beijing’s broader ambition to anchor its Belt and Road Initiative successful Europe.