On the evening of September 27, 2016, Chinese Ambassador Zou Xiaoli and his wife held in the historical building of Zappeion a gala event in celebration of the 67th anniversary of the founding of the PRC and the 10th anniversary of China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership. Over 800 people attended the event including Minister of Interior Kouroumblis, Minister of Shipping Dritsas, Minister of State for Coordinating Government Operations Flambouraris, First Vice-Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Mr. Kourakis, Alternate Minister for Research and Innovation Fotakis, Alternate Minister for Combating Unemployment Antonopoulou, Secretary for International Relations of the Foreign Ministry George Tsipras, Chairman of Taiped Pitsolas, former Prime Minister Simitis, former Shipping Minister Varvitsiotis, former Tourism Minister Kefaloyianni, former Deputy Development Minister Mitarakis, Chief of HNDGS Apostolakis, Deputy Chief of HNDGS Paraschopoulos, officials of local governments, representatives of goodwill organizations, renowned personnel from various communities, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps, Chinese institutions, overseas Chinese community and Chinese students in Greece.
In his speech, Ambassador Zou said that after 67 years of arduous struggle China's GDP has realized historical leaps to become the second largest in the world. This is not only a tremendous change for China itself, but also an important contribution to world peace and development. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, President Xi Jinping and the central leadership have led the efforts for the "two centenary goals". It is fair to say that today's China is closer than ever and more confident and capable than ever to reach the goal of realizing national rejuvenation.
Ambassador Zou pointed out that China is fine only when the world is fine. Therefore, China has been consistent on its path of peaceful development and in its opening up strategy for win-win results. The initiative of "One Belt and One Road" has received wide echo from over 100 countries and international organizations. At the beginning of this month, China successfully hosted the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, in which China put forward its initiatives to build a world economy that is "innovative, dynamic, inter-related, and inclusive". The summit reached the "Hangzhou Consensus" and was one of the most fruitful meeting with far-reaching impact.
Ambassador Zou stressed that both China and Greece are ancient civilizations. China regards Greece as an important strategic partner in Europe. China holds dearly the valuable support and help from Greece on many crucial and difficult moments. In 2006, then Greek Prime Minister Karamanlis visited China and declared with Chinese leaders the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. In 2013, then Prime Minister Samaras visited China. In 2014, President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang visited Greece. In July this year, Prime Minister Tsipras paid a very successful and fruitful visit to China. President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Tsipras agreed upon the goal of building the Port of Piraeus into an important supporting point for the "One Belt and One Road". The Cosco Piraeus Project is the "dragon head" of China-Greece cooperation. With the raised head of the dragon head, more and more Chinese businesses are coming to invest in Greece. The 2015 China-Greece Maritime Cooperation Year was a great success. Remarkable progress has been registered in the areas of culture, education, and science and technology. The Chinese side is determined to continue its efforts with the Greek side to build China-Greece cultural exchanges into a fine example of dialogue, inclusiveness and mutual-learning between different civilizations so as to promote peace, stability, and harmony of the world. He believed that that the next decade of our comprehensive strategic partnership will yield even more fruitful results for the benefits of the two countries and the world.
In his address, Minister Flambouraris sent congratulations on the 67th anniversary of the founding of the PRC on behalf of the Greek government and Prime Minister Tsipras. He said that to strengthen friendly and cooperative relations with China is a strategic choice of the Greek government and the Greek people. This year stands out in the history of bilateral relations, for it marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. In July this year Prime Minister Tsipras paid a very successful visit to China. He expressed the hope that the two countries enhance cooperation for the benefit of China, Europe and the whole world.
At the gala event, a picture exhibition for the 10th anniversary of China-Greece comprehensive and strategic partnership was held by the Chinese Embassy. Over 170 pictures took the guests through 10 years of fruitful cooperation in political, economic, cultural, scientific, and military fields between China and Greece. Live recording of the performance "Memory in Hangzhou" shown during G20 Summit in Hangzhou was held, which brought a highlight to the event. Guests to the event expressed their congratulations on China's National Day and wished more achievements in the next 10 years of China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership.
