At the invitation of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, a delegation of Greek mayors of cities around the Port of Piraeus composed of Mr. Kontos, Vice-President of China-Greece Association, Mr. Tsoukalas, mayor of Elefsina, Mr. Lagoudakis, mayor of Perama, Mr. Meletiou, mayor of Aspropyrgou, and Mr. Stamoulis, mayor of Megara, visited China from November 8 to 13.

During the visit, the delegation visited Beijing and Qingdao and met with Mr. Song Jingwu, vice-president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Mr. Ma Zehua, president of COSCO group, Mr. Tan Xuxiang, head of Daxing District, and Mr. Zhang Xinqi, mayor of Qingdao. Mr. Lagoudakis, mayor of Perama and Mr. Tan Xuxiang, head of Daxing District, signed an MOU on establishing sister relations. The delegation visited COSCO Group, industrial base of new media, the Port of Qingdao, and established relations with competent businesses in Beijing and Qingdao.

The Chinese side pointed out that China and Greece have great complementarities and tremendous potential for cooperation. The Chinese companies are willing to combine investment in Greece with the promotion of local economic development so as to bring tangible benefits to the Greek society. Both Beijing and Qingdao showed interest in cooperation with cities around the Port of Piraeus in the areas of port management, ship-building and maintenance, etc., and are willing to send delegations to visit Greece at proper times.

The Greek side thanks the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and relevant local governments and enterprises for their hospitalities. In the past week, they have been impressed by the warm friendship of the Chinese people towards the Greek people. The delegation saw firsthand with great admiration the tremendous achievement of social and economic development in China. They welcome increased Chinese investment in Greece in port, logistics, railway and other infrastructure, and wish enhanced cooperation in ship building and maintenance, culture, and tourism. Greece is willing to play a positive role in the development of the “Belt and Road” Initiative.