Chinese premier's visit to Greece causes a stir(2)

Piraeus port has unique natural and geographical conditions. "It could become a gateway for China into Europe," said Li. "It is like a pearl in the Mediterranean Sea." It will greatly reduce transport lead times if Chinese goods are shipped from eastern Asia via the Suez Canal and then enter the heart of Europe through Piraeus.

Piraeus is a model of mutual benefit and win-win co-operation based on market and business-oriented concepts shared by two countries in the ship-building sector.

More importantly, this kind of cooperation benefits business, Sino-Greek economic ties, and wider China-EU cooperation. Large volumes of Sino-EU re-export trade can be done through the port to reduce costs.

Moreover, Greece might become a global leader of transport economies by developing Piraeus Port, offering the country the means to extract itself from its mire of debt and achieve a better future. It is also good for balanced and long-term prosperity in Europe.

Shortly after the Chinese Prime Minister arrived in Athens on June 19, the two prime ministers held talks. Observed by the two premiers, bilateral agreements were signed concerning maritime protection, the financing by the China Development Bank of Greek-owned small and medium-sized enterprises operating in China, and the provision of services to Greek-flagged ships by the China Classification Society, a specialized inspection and certification body .

Handshake of two ancient civilizations of East and West

China and Greece are representatives of the civilizations of the East and the West. Both are countries with a long history and ancient civilizations. The world-famous Acropolis and the Great Wall form part of the world's cultural heritage.

Throughout the visit, the two prime ministers have shown respect for each other's civilizations in their interactions.

On the Greek maritime cooperation forum, Samaras spoke of Lao Zi, Confucius and other Chinese philosophers. He said that Lao Zi's ideas and Confucianism have had a profound influence on humanity, the value of which is the common wealth of mankind.

At the same time , Li Keqiang referred to a series of Greek thinkers and philosophers in history: Plato, Socrates, Aristotle... "Many Greek fables are well-known throughout China," he said, "while Greek people enthuse about Chinese legends." The handshake between China, the ancient oriental civilization, and Greece of the West is not only of great significance to enhance mutual understanding and trust between the two peoples, but also sets up a positive role model of dialogue, tolerance, and mutual learning among civilizations.