Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou confirmed their mutual desire to advance bilateral ties between Greece and China on all levels during their talks in Athens.

Greeting Wen Jiabao, who arrived earlier the same afternoon for a three-day official visit to Greece, Papandreou expressed Greece's hopes that already good relations with China will become even stronger.

The Chinese premier, noting that his visit to Greece was a "long-standing wish", stressed that the two countries must enhance their relations in all areas and expressed confidence that his visit would deepen bilateral ties and cooperation even further.

"Our two countries, as much ancient as they are modern, must strengthen their ties in all sectors. Hand in hand we must proceed to overcome the present difficulties," he said.

The Chinese Premier arrived in Athens at 14:00 on October 2nd at the head of a large delegation from China.

Shortly afterward touching down at Athens international airport, where he was welcomed by government vice-president Theodoros Pangalos, the Chinese premier arrived at the Maximos Mansion where he was officially welcomed by Prime Minister George Papandreou and Greece's political leadership.

The two leaders, after reviewing an honour guard that played the national anthems of Greece and China, entered the Maximos Mansion for a meeting. This was followed by a broader meeting that also included delegations from the Greek and Chinese governments that focused on political and economic ties and the prospects for investment in Greece.

This is the first visit by a Chinese premier to Greece in the past 24 years and acquires even greater significance in view of the current acute difficulties faced by the Greek economy, as well as that of Europe.