Greece and China signed 14 bilateral agreements on Tuesday, during a visit to Greece by China's Vice-Premier Zhang Dejiang, a prominent member of the Communist Party of China Politburo. Zhang arrived in Athens on Monday on a three-day visit, at the invitation of Greek Vice-Premier Theodoros Pangalos, his Greek counterpart.

Following meetings earlier on Tuesday with Greek President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias and Pangalos, during which the agreements were signed, Zhang was attending a dinner being given by Prime Minister George Papandreou on Tuesday afternoon.

In statements before the dinner, Papandreou underlined that bilateral relations between Greece and China were excellent and would be further deepened as a result of the agreements signed earlier the same day, as well as Greek-Chinese cooperation on a international and regional level.

Zhang said the agreements reflected China's desire for stronger ties with Greece and appeared confident that it will overcome its current financial difficulties, adding that China will encourage substantial investments in Greece. He also conveyed greetings from Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

During the meeting with Pangalos, Zhang made statements expressing the China's support for the Greek government and its efforts to overcome the economic crisis, saying that there was a "joint desire by Athens and Beijing to strengthen our beneficial cooperation in order to deal with the economic crisis".

Pangalos and Zhang were later joined by the Greek and Chinese delegations for expanded talks, during which the two sides signed 14 agreements dealing with the shipping sector, transport, tourism and telecoms, and also for the export of Greek olive oil to China.

In joint statements afterward, Zhang said that he had been given much encouragement by Pangalos.

"We exchanged views in depth on how to expand cooperation in every sector and arrived at a broad agreement. Greece encourages Chinese companies to come to Greece and find opportunities for investment," he said.

Even though the signs of global economic recovery were becoming stronger, the repercussions of the global financial crisis still remained, Zhang noted, stressing that Greece and China both desired to strengthen their friendly and beneficial cooperation to tackle the crisis together.

Pangalos, on his part, said the talks had been "friendly and creative for our economic and political relations.

Talks between the two delegations referred to both existing and potential future cooperation, with special emphasis on the opportunities created through the planned privatisation programme. Interest was expressed in installing a container terminal at Thriasio, in the Greek Railways Organisation (OSE), ports and airports, as well as possible cooperation in education and culture.

The agreements signed on Tuesday

The first agreement signed by Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping Minister Louka Katseli and Chinese Transport Minister Li Shenglin provides a favourable charter regime for Greek shipping, while another four agreements to build Greek cargo ships at China Ocean Shipping (COSCO) shipyards was signed between Greek ship owners and COSCO.

Greek shipowners also signed an agreement with COSCO Bulk Carrier on forming a joint-venture and two charter agreements for Greek ships.

In the telecoms sector, Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) CEO Panagiotis Vourloumis signed an agreement with Huawei Technologies, while China's BCEGI and Helios Plaza signed an agreement for the construction of the hotel and shopping complex Pireaus Plaza.

Finally, four agreements were signed for the export of Greek olive oil.