Chinese premier's visit to Greece causes a stir

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his wife Cheng Hong have been paying a visit to Greece, a similar ancient civilization to China, for a landmark three-day official visit, during which the two prime ministers talked about friendship, cooperation and civilization, stirring interest in the development of Sino-Greek ties. Li Keqiang attended the China-Greece ocean cooperation forum held in Athens with Samaras on June 20.  [Special coverage]

"We are friends who can look into each other's eyes"

The Chinese Premier was welcomed at the Athens International Airport by Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras. Samaras spoke with emotion: "Prime Minister Li Keqiang and I are friends who can look each other in the eye."

From the perspective of Samaras, the reason that he and Premier Li could look each other in the eye without misunderstanding is that they "trust each other." He believes that this personal trust also represents mutual trust between our two peoples.

"We will never forget that China selflessly stood together with us in the most difficult period of the Greek debt crisis." Li Keqiang also recalled that Greece helped China with three large-scale overseas Chinese evacuations.

"13,000 Chinese people successfully withdrew from Libya. This is deeply engraved in the hearts of the Chinese people," Li said. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you and through you to express our sincere gratitude to the Greek people. A friend in need is a friend indeed. The friendship between our two countries should be cherished. "

Sino-Greece's win-win situation good for Europe

The two leaders visited the facilities of Chinese firm Cosco, which controls the two main container terminals at Piraeus Port.

Containers of world-famous shipping companies such as COSCO, Maersk, and Evergreen, piled up tens of meters high at the No.3 terminal at the port.

Li Keqiang and Samaras mounted the bridge of the port control center and took on board a detailed explanation of the current situation of the Port Development Plan and its future prospects. The two prime ministers also jointly issued instructions to a train which was loaded with Huawei equipment. The train then set off for destinations in eastern Europe.