ATHENS, Sept. 28 -- Greek dignitaries attended Tuesday night the Chinese embassy's special National Day reception in Athens to celebrate the 67th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Sino-Greek comprehensive strategic partnership, praising Sino-Greek collaboration.
Chinese Ambassador Zou Xiaoli welcomed hundreds of dignitaries at Zappeion Exhibition hall, which hosted a photo exhibition highlighting the most significant landmarks and major achievements of bilateral cooperation over the past decade.
Addressing the event on behalf of the Greek government, State Minister Alekos Flambouraris congratulated China for the remarkable achievements of the past 67 years domestically and internationally, spoke highly of the excellent bilateral collaboration and expressed confidence for the further enhancement of Sino-Greek ties in several sectors in the future.
"We are convinced this collaboration will continue and the relations between the two peoples and the two states will be further strengthened," he said.
"In the past 10 years we have chosen to strike strategic alliances in critical fields. The one case, as you have seen, is the port of Piraeus so that Greece can also contribute to the Belt and Road Initiative," he elaborated, speaking to Xinhua.
"Moreover, there are ongoing efforts to cooperate in the cultural and educational sectors, in particular in issues regarding the possibilities of further collaboration between the two peoples to support peace in Asia and Europe," Flambouraris added.
Shipping Minister Thodoris Dritsas, Interior Minister Panagiotis Kouroumblis, other government officials and former Prime Minister Costas Simitis were also among the dignitaries who attended the reception.
On his part, Ambassador Zou underlined China's progress and contribution to world peace and development so far and willingness to continue on this path.
Regarding the Greece-China close and fruitful collaboration, he referred to the bridges built so far, especially in the past decade on all levels and various fields, and the plans and mutual determination to further promote this strategic partnership.
"We are proud of the important achievement made during the past decade and we are convinced to embrace even brighter prospects. I believe that, with concerted efforts, China and Greece, two cradles of human civilization, will reach common revitalization and 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," Zou said.
Speaking to Xinhua, Marathon Municipality Mayor Ilias Psinakis focused on the Belt and Road Initiative and the crucial role cultural exchanges hold in enhancing ties in the economic sector as well.
"Through the culture of the Greek and Chinese it is going to be a smashing hit in the world. I am very sure that is very good for my country and is very good for the Chinese also," Psinakis said.
After a glimpse at the dozens photos which spoke thousands words on the friendship and win-win cooperation between the two nations, former Public Order Minister Lefteris Economou also expressed optimism for a brighter future.
"The exhibition hosted at this historic venue shows how these ties have been steadily built step by step. These ties are the best solid base to further advance cooperation in the future even more firmly," he told Xinhua.
by Maria Spiliopoulou
