China's top political advisor stresses trade ties with Greece

Πηγή: xinhua
Oct 25 2011

ATHENS, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin on Monday saidChina attaches great importance to the mutually beneficial cooperation between Chinaand Greece, and made new proposals to strengthen bilateral trade cooperation.

Addressing a welcome banquet held by the Greek business circle in Athens, Jia,chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political ConsultativeConference (CPPCC), said mutual political trust between China and Greece had beensteadily deepened and bilateral cooperation in various fields have been expandingsince 2006, when the two countries established comprehensive strategic partnership.

Noting that Greece offered precious help for the successful holding of the 2008Olympic Games in Beijing and China's pullout of its citizens from Libya, Jia said theGreek government has provided unswerving support to China on issues of thecountry's major concerns.

Economic and trade cooperation serves as an important basis for the comprehensivestrategic partnership between China and Greece, and an important source ofmomentum for the continuous development of bilateral ties, he said.

According to Jia, Sino-Greek trade surged to 4.35 billion U.S. dollars in total tradevolume in 2010, up 18.4 percent year on year.

He said the mutual investments between China and Greece is very active, adding thatGreece' investments in China have so far reached close to 100 million U.S. dollars,while China's investments in Greece have reached 500 million U.S. dollars.

Jia said during his visit to Greece, the two governments and enterprises from bothcountries will sign a series of documents and contracts on mutual cooperation.

He hoped that both sides will deepen mutual understanding, and enhance their all-round and high-level collaboration in various fields.

Noting that the world financial market is still volatile, and the impacts of the worldfinancial crisis have not yet passed while new problems surfaced, Jia said the recoveryof the world economy still faces many difficulties and challenges.

He said China, as a responsible world power, has in recent years implemented effectivemeasures to address the huge impact of the world financial crisis, and was among thefirst countries in the world to walk back onto the path of economic recovery.

He said he believes that Greek people could also work with the government in order totide over their current economic difficulties.

Jia said China is now a completely open country with a market economy, and hasbecome a major force in spurring regional and world economic development.

China's opening-up has not only benefited its 1.3 billion citizens, but also citizens fromall over the world, he said.

He said China would speed up implementation of its "go-out" strategy, to leadcompetitive Chinese enterprises to invest overseas in an orderly manner, and toactively engage in investments and cooperative projects which are conducive to theimprovement of local infrastructure and people's lives.

The Chinese political advisor said the 40 Chinese entrepreneurs accompanying himduring his Greek visit have come to seek to fulfill this exact purpose.

In the meantime, Jia said economic and trade cooperation between China and Greecehas enjoyed a relatively sound basis, and that more opportunities of collaboration ariseas both countries are seeking closer cooperation.

China is ready to join hands with Greece to tap the country's potential throughcooperation, and seek new ways of collaboration in various fields, Jia said.

For that purpose, Jia said both sides should actively push forward an all-roundcooperation in the ocean shipping sector, promote a balanced development in bilateraltrade, deepen bilateral collaboration in tourism, and explore new grounds forcooperation in areas such as the new energy sector.

Jia stressed that a prosperous, stable Europe is of great importance to the world'sstability and development, as well as to the healthy, stable development of the Chineseeconomy.

China supports the financial stabilization measures implemented by the EuropeanUnion, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and has doneits best to help European countries counter the current debt crisis, he said.

China has been a long-term investor in the sovereign debt market of Europe, and it willcontinue to support Europe and the euro currency in the future, he said.

He hoped that the European Union will take active measures to expand the export of hi-tech products to China, and create a favorable investment environment for Chineseenterprises.