Two decades of Sino-Greece ties through Chinese eyes

On September 23, the Greece embassy in China celebrated the 20 years of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, hosting the award ceremony of the photo competition "Greece Through China's Lens", organized to mark this important anniversary.

The competition invited Chinese nationals to capture, through their photographic lens, their impressions of Greece, showcasing the country's landscapes, people, culture and contemporary life. The initiative attracted a large number of entries from across China, reflecting the Chinese people's strong interest in Greece.

The ceremony brought together the competition's finalists and winners, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Greek and Chinese photographers and media representatives in a celebration of artistic creativity and the close ties between the two peoples.

Addressing the ceremony, the Ambassador of Greece to China, Evgenios Kalpyris, highlighted the millennia old exchanges between the two global civilizations and the importance of the 20-year milestone of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. "The historical depth of our relationship projects optimism into the future for the continuation of our cooperation at all levels. The foundation of our relationship is solid and is based on trust and mutual respect," he added.

He also thanked the participants for showcasing "sensitivity, respect, artistic eye and good taste in every photograph and for being true bridges between our two countries."

In his address, Chang Jian, deputy director of the Department of European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted that "mutually beneficial cooperation and cultural exchanges are two key pillars of China-Greece relations." He added that through friendly exchanges and cultural activities, "the peoples of the two countries are growing ever closer, and the soil of China-Greece friendship is becoming increasingly fertile. The relations between the two countries are facing new opportunities for development and broad prospects."

After the judging panel reviewed all entries, a total of 50 photos received honorable mentions, and the top 5 entries were awarded special prizes in recognition of their contributions to the competition.