President refers to 'historic ties' with China in message for 66th PRC anniversary

Gazzetta team 28 Σεπτεμβρίου 2015 - 21:05

President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos on Monday issued a message to mark the 66th anniversary since the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on October 1, pointing to the historic ties of friendship between the two countries as well as the more recent ties of investment and maritime cooperation.

"One of the most important ports of the Mediterranean, the port of Piraeus, is a gateway of communication between modern China and Europe, the Balkans and the Middle East," he said, noting that the sea had always been an element connecting the people of China and Greece, as it was today.

"Greek ships carry a large volume of Chinese trade, Chinese shipyards build Greek ships, Greek cruise ships welcome Chinese tourists that wish to enjoy the Greek summer. We have decided to highlight this element by declaring 2015 the year of Maritime Cooperation between China and Greece," he said.

Greece, after a difficult period for its economy, had decided to stand on its feet and open its doors to global cooperation, Pavlopoulos said.

"In this effort, we want China to have a substantial role, not only because it is the most dynamic economy today but also because, in difficult times, it has offered us the support of a good friend," he added, inviting more Chinese companies to invest in Greece and more Greek products to reach the Chinese and Asian markets.