On November 16, Chinese Ambassador Zou Xiaoli met with the delegation composed of the 4 mayors of Elefsina, Perama, Aspropyrgou, and Megara, cities neighboring the Port of Piraeus, led by Mr. Kontos, Vice-President of China-Greece Association, who are going to visit China at the invitation of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

Ambassador Zou said that it would be the first delegation of Greek mayors to visit China since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which was of great importance. The ambassador pointed out that the mayors were going to bring the friendship of the Greek people towards the Chinese people, and they would definitely feel the profound friendship of the Chinese people. He expressed the hope that the mayors would take a close look at China, deepen their understanding about China, brief their Chinese hosts about the latest development in Greece, and promote new outcomes in regional cooperation between the two countries.

Mr. Kontos and the four mayors thanked the Chinese side for their gracious invitation and careful arrangement. They said that they would make the best use of this rare opportunity to increase mutual understanding, and explore new ways to expand cooperation in ship building and maintenance, logistics, farm produce, and people-to-people exchanges.

The delegation is going to visit Beijing and Qingdao and hold talks with the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries as well as officials of local governments. They will also visit companies in the sectors of shipping, port, and e-commerce. The city of Perama plans to sign an MOU on establishing sister relations with the district of Daxing, Beijing.