On April 8, 2002, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan held talks with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

Tang said that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Greece. Bilateral relations have been developing smoothly since the establishment of diplomatic relations 30 years ago. Bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the fields of politics, economy and trade, science and technology, culture and education as well as military affairs have been deepening and expanding, with good results achieved. China appreciates Greece's friendly stand on Taiwan, Tibet and human rights issues, said Tang, expressing China's wish to push forward friendly relations and cooperation by taking the chance of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Papandreou fully agreed with Tang on his positive assessment of bilateral relations. He said that Greece attaches great importance to friendly relations and cooperation with China in all fields. Greece wishes to strengthen political, economic, cultural and diplomatic exchanges and ties through cooperation on hosting the Olympic Games. Greece will take the rotary chair of the European Union in the first half of next year, and is willing to play a positive role in promoting in-depth development of EU-China relations.

Tang said that Greece and China would host the first two Olympic Games in the 21st century subsequently, providing a rare opportunity for the development of bilateral relations. China is ready to expand exchanges and cooperation with the Greek side in this regard.

The two sides also had an in-depth and extensive exchange of views on international and regional issues of common concern.