The Hellenic Chinese Chamber of Commerce marks its 30th anniversary and organized a major commemorative event to celebrate this important milestone in Sino-Hellenic business relations. The anniversary ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including:
- Mr. Kostas Karamanlis, Former Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic
- Mr. Fang Qiu, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Greece
- Mr. Wu Jincheng, Mayor of Pudong New Area & Deputy Secretary General of Shanghai Municipal Government.
They delivered remarks highlighting the long-standing friendship and expanding cooperation between Greece and China.
Below you might read the Ambassador Fang’s full speech:
The 1995-2025 Bridging Cultures and Building Futures in the Sino-Hellenic Business Relations Event
It is a great pleasure for me to attend today’s celebration under the theme “1995–2025: Bridging Cultures and Building Futures in Sino-Hellenic Business Relations.” I would like to begin by congratulating the Hellenic Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Tourism and Shipping on the occasion of its 30th anniversary. For three decades, the Chamber has faithfully advanced its mission of deepening economic cooperation and strengthening the enduring friendship between China and Greece. It has served as a vital bridge of communication and collaboration, making significant and lasting contributions to our bilateral relationship.
On this occasion, allow me also to pay special tribute to former Prime Minister Karamanlis. His strategic vision and goodwill toward China played an instrumental role in realizing COSCO’s investment in the Port of Piraeus, a landmark achievement in our cooperation. I also extend a warm welcome to all the business leaders joining us today from both countries. You have not only witnessed the flourishing of China-Greece economic ties but have been central to its continued success.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,
China and Greece, two ancient civilizations, have nurtured a friendship rooted in deep cultural resonance and mutual respect. This rich heritage continues to inspire the robust practical cooperation we see today across trade, shipping, port development, energy, and transportation. China has remained Greece’s third-largest global trading partner and its leading partner outside the EU for several consecutive years. Chinese shipyards continue to build vessels for Greek shipowners, often supported by Chinese financial institutions, while the Greek fleet remains indispensable in transporting energy and essential commodities to China.
Port of Piraeus, under the operation of COSCO Shipping, has created tens of thousands of jobs, generated large amount of taxes, and contributed significantly to Greece’s GDP. In the energy sector, leading Chinese companies have invested hundreds of millions of euros supporting Greece’s green transition. Our people-to-people exchanges have also strengthened, supported by three direct flight routes between our countries. Meanwhile, more than a dozen Chinese new energy vehicles, with brands such as MG and BYD, have established firm roots in the Greek market, and hundreds of Chinese electric buses now operate in Athens and Thessaloniki, contributing to cleaner and more efficient urban mobility.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,
A few weeks ago, the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China adopted the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan. These Recommendations outline China’s guiding principles, strategic priorities, and development goals for the coming years. They also reaffirm China’s commitment to high-standard opening-up and to sharing development opportunities with partners around the world.
China is committed to proactively expanding its opening-up, particularly in the service sector, where new market areas for cooperation continue to emerge. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion and a middle-income group expected to surpass 800 million within the next decade, China warmly welcomes greater access for high-quality Greek products. Concurrently, Greek enterprises, with their strength in tourism, shipping, ship management, ship brokerage, and maritime law and insurance, are well positioned to deepen their participation in the Chinese market.
The Recommendations highlight key areas for enhanced cooperation: green development, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, health, tourism, and agriculture. These priorities closely align with Greece’s development strategy and open new avenues for business collaboration. They also emphasize international transport corridors and modern shipping services, areas in which China and Greece can jointly pursue technological R&D and share achievements in intelligent shipbuilding, digital port management, and smart maritime supervision; foster new productive forces in the shipping sector; and build international green shipping corridors together.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,
Unlike certain countries that constantly seek to extend their sphere of influence, China’s cooperation with all countries including Greece involves no geopolitical maneuvering; it is neither directed at nor influenced by any third party. It is unfortunate that the COSCO–Piraeus partnership, an exemplary model of China-Greece cooperation has recently faced unwarranted criticism from a diplomat stationed in Greece, who talks about “selling the Port of Piraeus” and “balancing Chinese influence”. These remarks seek to politicize what is fundamentally a commercial cooperation project, mischaracterizing mutually beneficial port development as a security concern. Such narratives reflect a hegemonic mindset that views the Port of Piraeus not as an engine of Greek prosperity, but as an arena for geopolitical rivalry.
I believe the Greek people remember well that during the debt crisis, when the Port of Piraeus was in severe decline, COSCO brought essential capital and technology here, along with confidence and goodwill of the Chinese people toward Greece. The cooperation was built upon both parties’ complementary strengths, grounded in full equality. The Piraeus Port has always been, and will always remain, the port of the Greek people. COSCO, as a responsible investor, will continue working with Greece to support its further growth and modernization.
Sadly, those who offered no assistance during Greece’s most challenging times now claim to advocate for its best interests. They reflect a zero-sum mentality that is outdated, harmful, and fundamentally at odds with the global trend toward cooperation and mutual benefit. More importantly, they underestimate Greece’s determination to pursue an independent development path, one that is defined by the Greek people themselves.
China and Greece, as ancient civilizations, share a profound understanding of justice. As we say in China, “A just cause should be pursued for the common good.” Were Plato here today, he would also firmly reject the notion that “might makes right”, insisting instead that true justice is shaped by reason and virtue, not dictated by power. Indeed, power politics is the greatest injustice: when certain countries use their military and economic superiority to impose their will, forcing others into subordinate, disadvantaged positions, they utterly pervert Plato’s vision of justice.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,
Looking ahead, next year marks the 20th anniversary of the China–Greece comprehensive strategic partnership. This partnership has already demonstrated its resilience and vitality, and it will continue to do so. Despite external noise, China and Greece possess the wisdom, capability, and mutual trust to move forward together, opening new chapters of cooperation and friendship in the years ahead.
Thank you.
