Cultural extravaganza to strengthen ties

The official inauguration of the Cultural Year of Greece in China takes place in Beijing today.

Greek Minister of Culture Michael Liapis will inaugurate the extensive cultural program, which will last through the autumn of next year and feature a series of diverse cultural activities to be staged in Beijing and Shanghai.

The people of China will be offered an opportunity to discover the cultural heritage of Greece during the one-year campaign, said Greek Ambassador to China Michael Cambanis.

China and Greece, known as the birthplaces of the oriental and Western civilizations, have not rested on their laurels but are decisively moving towards the future for the benefit of their present and future generations, said Cambanis.

"Both countries are aware of the fact that culture unites and does not separate, and are conscious of their moral duty to promote culture as the key to friendship and mutual understanding in the world," he noted.

"Greek people are delighted that they passed the relay baton for hosting the Olympic Games to China, not only for their feelings of friendship towards Chinese people but also for their belief that countries with a cultural heritage like that of Greece and China should contribute to the rejuvenation of the Olympic spirit," Cambanis said.

"The governments of the two countries have established a system of structured cooperation for the transfer of know-how and valuable experience gained in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, coordinated by a special joint Sino-Greek committee covering multiple facets."

Cooperation in this field has played an important role in the speedy progress achieved lately in Sino-Greek relations, he added.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Greece, and has witnessed more intense exchanges between the two nations.

Economic cooperation

With exports to and imports from Greece registered at $2.18 billion and $104 million respectively last year, an annual increase of 12.6 and 20.3 percent, China has grown to be the sixth biggest trade partner of the Mediterranean country.

"There is room for my country to shorten the trade gap by increasing its exports, something happening today at a very fast pace," Cambanis noted.

Along with traditional Greek exports to China like olive oil, wine, cosmetics, marble, jewelry and aluminum, the ambassador said he sees "a lot of possibilities for further cooperation in hi-tech products, energy technology, know-how transfer and trade of services such as maritime shipping, tourism and banking sectors."

Meanwhile, Greek investments in China are "considerable" given the size of the country, Cambanis said. By last June, Greek investors had set up 64 projects here with a total foreign investment value of $123 million.

Despite its current focus on commerce, merchant marine and consulting, hi-tech industry is emerging as a new appealing destination for Greek investors, Cambanis said.

As a worldwide leading power in maritime transportation, Greek-owned shipping covers the transportation needs of many countries, including China, one of the world's most dynamic trade powerhouses, Cambanis said.

In the shipping sector, the two economies are complementary, he emphasized, adding that a considerable proportion of new Greek ships are being built in Chinese shipyards.

Being a popular tourist destination, Greece values tourism as its pillar industry.

The Greek ambassador said his government has been trying to woo Chinese tourists, and that "the efforts have already borne fruit."

With the new Air China flight linking Beijing and Athens starting operation at the end of November, an even bigger flow of Chinese tourists is expected, Cambanis said.

(China Daily 10/18/2007 page18)