Chinese president meets Greek party leaders

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-11-25 22:24

ATHENS - Chinese President Hu Jintao met separately Tuesday with leaders of the Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement and the Communist Party of Greece and said that the Communist Party of China (CPC) would further enhance its relations with the two Greek political parties.

During his meeting with George Papandreou, leader of the Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement, Hu, also the CPC general secretary, said that the movement is an important political force in Greece and an old friend of the CPC.

The relationship between the CPC and the Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement has become an important part of the political ties between China and Greece, Hu said.

The Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement, Hu said, always carries out a good-will policy toward China and adheres to the one-China policy.

Hu spoke highly of the important role the party played in expanding friendly cooperation between Greece and China.

He said that the CPC would increase exchanges and enhance cooperation with the Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement so as to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese people and the Greek people, and strengthen the China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership.

Papandreou said that Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement has maintained good, cooperative relations with the CPC and would make additional efforts to enhance friendly cooperation between Greece and China.

During his meeting with Aleka Papariga, general secretary of the Communist Party of Greece, Hu said that the Communist Party of Greece adheres to the theory of Marxism and has rich experience in party development.

He expressed his gratitude to Papariga for the party's support for the Beijing Olympic Games and its stand on the issues of Taiwan, Tibet and human rights.

The CPC would further its ties with the Communist Party of Greece on the principles of independence, equality, mutual respect and non-interference in other's internal affairs, Hu said.

In reply, Papariga said that the Communist Party of Greece attaches importance to its cooperation with the CPC and China's significant role in dealing with international affairs.

The party would continue to work for lasting and friendly cooperation between the two countries and the two parties, and increase exchanges of views with the CPC on how to deal with world issues such as the international financial crisis.

President Hu flew to Athens on Monday for a state visit to Greece, the last leg of his five-nation trip. He has already attended a financial summit in Washington and the Economic Leaders' Informal Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Lima. He also paid state visits to Costa Rica, Cuba and Peru.