On July 1, 2003, Greek President Costis
Stephanopoulos met with visiting Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing at the presidential palace. Both sides noted they
would promote the development of relations between the two
countries and expressed their shared will to strengthen
consultation and cooperation in international affairs.
In the talks, Stephanopoulos said that the
ancient civilization and modern development of China had
left deep impression on him when he visited China in 1983.
He said that the Greek people bore the best feelings towards
the Chinese people, and Greece admired the Chinese
government and people for their achievements in the fight
against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
Stephanopoulos said that what was more joyful was Beijing
would host the Olympics right after Athens. He hoped the
cooperation between the two countries in hosting the
Olympics would promote the comprehensive development of
Greek-Chinese relations.
Li said that Greece,
as a great nation, had once made remarkable contributions to
the progress and development of the human race. He noted the
there was friendship and mutual admiration between the Greek
and Chinese peoples, adding that China attached great
importance to its friendly relations with Greece. He also
said that with great potentials for economic cooperation
between the two countries yet to be tapped, China hoped to
make joint efforts with Greece to further promote and deepen
the existing good ties between the two sides.
Both sides also exchanged opinions on the
situation in Asia. Stephanopoulos said that China played a
role that had global influence and Greece would like to see
China continue to play an important role in international
affairs, especially in handling hot issues of Asia.
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