On April 8th, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras met at the Maximos Mansion with Mr. Xu Lirong, Chairman of China COSCO Shipping Corporation who came to Greece for the signing ceremony of the agreements on the transfer of majority stake of PPA. Chinese Ambassador Zou Xiaoli and Chairman of Taiped Mr. Pitsolas were present at the meeting.
Prime Minister Tsipras said that today was a significant day in the history of China-Greece relations. The signing of important documents for the transfer of majority stake of PPA marked that Greece and China would join hands once again to promote the joint vitalization of ancient civilizations. The signing of the project would send strong signal to the international market that the Greek government welcomes foreign investment, which would help Greek economic recovery. It was also the hope of the Greek side that relevant investment would take into consideration Greek concerns on labour and environmental protection. Prime Minister Tsipras emphasized on the sound geological position of Greece and expressed the wish of the Greek side to actively participate in the "One Belt and One Road" Initiative to make Greece a bridge for trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges between China and Europe, and between the East and the West.
Xu thanked Prime Minister Tsipras for his care and support for the Piraeus Port project, which he believed passed confidence to Chinese businesses. Xu pointed out that the Piraeus Port project was COSCO Shipping's first overseas acquisition project after its founding. He said that the Chinese side would expand investment in the Port of Piraeus, improve and optimize its operating capabilities and make the Port of Piraeus one of the biggest in Europe and contribute to economic recovery, the increase of employment in Greece and China-Greece cooperation.
Ambassador Zou Xiaoli conveyed to Prime Minster Tsipras the message of congratulations from Premier Li Keqiang.
