Xi meets Greek PM, calling for stronger partnership

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Friday and called for a stronger partnership between the two nations, with both having a rich traditional culture.

Both gifted with a long history and rich culture, China and Greece should increase exchanges, learn from each other and boost win-win cooperation, Xi said during the meeting with Samaras.

Xi said China and Greece should enhance their comprehensive strategic partnership to benefit the people of the two countries and promote peace and development of the world as a whole.

The Chinese president said he was impressed with Greece's progress in addressing the debt crisis, adding that China is making efforts to achieve the nation's rejuvenation.

With their respective development, China and Greece will see even greater potential for cooperation and brighter prospects.

"(We) look forward to closer cooperation between the two sides on trade, shipping, culture and tourism," Xi said, adding that the Chinese government encourages the country's enterprises to invest in Greece.

Xi said China firmly backs integration in Europe and is ready to make efforts with Greece, who will hold the rotating presidency of the European Union in 2014, to further advance the relationship between China and Europe.

Samaras said Greece and China are closely linked to each other in culture and he thanked the Chinese side for endorsement for the European country's efforts to resolve the debt crisis.

China is a reliable friend and the Greek side regards China's development as an opportunity, Samaras said.

Lauding China's adherence to the path of peaceful development, Samaras said he believes China is an important power to safeguard peace and promote development of the world.

The Greek side is willing to boost cooperation with China and make more of a contribution to the development of the Europe-China relationship, he added.

The Greek prime minister is on an official visit to China from Wednesday to Sunday. During the tour, he is also scheduled to attend to the second session of the World Cultural Forum (Taihu, China) planned for this weekend.

Established in 2007 as a non-governmental organization based in China, the forum is committed to creating an open, multilateral and inclusive platform for international cultural exchange.