A new era in long Sino-Greek friendship Panos LeivadasChina Daily Updated: 2006-02-16 06:36
That the People's Republic of China has become a significant player in the
global arena is an indisputable fact that prompts international interest. Greece
not only embraces this development but also sees in it great potential for
multileveled bilateral co-operation. After all, the two countries have always
been tied together with a long and strong bond of friendship, mutual
understanding and respect.
China, empowered by the physical size of its land as well as the vigour of
its human capital and confidence in the momentous growth of its economy, looks
ahead with optimism. As it steadily opens its gates to the world, new
opportunities present themselves in terms of closer co-operation between Greece
and China even more so, of course, given that the two peoples share a common
sense of history and deep understanding of humanitarian principles.
Within this context that is especially positive for our bilateral relations,
the fact that Beijing will hold the Olympic Games of 2008 immediately following
those of Athens and that we will, therefore, co-operate extensively on a new
level is a most promising coincidence for both countries. On the one hand, it is
important for Greece that we constitute the first society since we organized,
with great success, the Olympics of 2004 that China gets to know during the
further opening of its economy and society, in the last few years.
For China, the above coincidence is of great significance since Greece is not
only a good old friend but also the paradigm for how a country can turn
international criticism into international recognition. In other words, the
Chinese people have great respect for a country that delivered with respect to a
challenge of great magnitude and was, in the process, recognized as a stable and
safe environment of reliable partners. Proving everyone that doubted her, Greece
improved her image abroad; this now provides added value to all aspects of
herself.
Since China is well aware of the fact that the Olympics inherently go beyond
the boundaries of an athletics competition to be a multifaceted event that
transforms perceptions, she aspires to pleasantly stun the world. It is no
surprise that Beijing is co-operating with Greece in terms of transfer of
know-how concerning overall Olympic preparations, communications, organizational
experience, security and other matters.
In the wake of this co-operation and as the two peoples get to know each
other better, our bilateral relations deepen and broaden. Indicative of the
further cordiality between us is the fact that the year 2008, when the whole
world will be watching Beijing, will be the cultural year of Greece.
At the same time, our co-operation in other fields is also getting
increasingly extensive as we capitalize on our strong relations and the happy
occasion of the Olympic Games taking place in Athens and Beijing subsequently.
First, in terms of the maritime industry, where Greece undoubtedly is a
leading global power, we aim at broader collaboration. After all, the Greek
maritime sector has great potential since we hold the first place in ship
ownership and have the top purchasing power in the world, in terms of legal,
banking, and other services in the business.
Among the goals of co-operation in this field is to render Greek ports into
distribution centres and commercial nodes for Chinese products directed to
Southern Eastern Europe as well as the broader region. This would clearly
present great opportunities for Chinese commerce and Greek business, in general.
Second, there is close co-operation between Greek and Chinese small and
medium-sized enterprises; the above has the potential to draw significant
amounts of investment into both countries. But also in terms of specific
products, we explore opportunities for further collaborating with each other.
For instance, there is great interest on the part of our Chinese business
partners in premium-quality Greek virgin olive oil. All in all, both countries
aspire to capitalize on each other's comparative advantages in products and
services, within the context of respect, co-operation and mutual growth.
Lastly, the two countries collaborate to a great extent in the tourist
industry, given the Chinese people's cultural and historical interest in our
country. Of course, this interest has grown further, since the two societies
have gotten to know each other better due to the happy Olympic coincidence.
After all, tourism both promotes and exemplifies friendship between societies.
Our focused efforts have already borne much fruit. Greece has launched multiple
advertising campaigns in China and actively participates in tourist exhibitions.
The author is Secretary-General of Information with
the Ministry of State, Greece.
(China Daily 02/16/2006 page4)
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