[Photo: Xinhua]

The 45th anniversary of Greek-Chinese diplomatic relations was celebrated on June 12, 2017, at a special event, which included the musical performance of the New Oriental Chinese Music Scene of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, at the Municipal Theater of Piraeus. The event was organized by the Chinese embassy in Greece, the Shanghai Municipal Government and China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited.

Addressing the event, the PRC Ambassador to Greece, Zou Xiaoli, stressed that over the past 45 years, the two countries have evolved into strategic partners on a wide range of areas of cooperation. “We share mutual respect and have helped each other in both good and bad times”, noted the Ambassador adding that, the investment in the port of Piraeus has now become an important pillar of the New Silk Road ("One Belt- One Road”) and is a brilliant example of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the EU.

In his address, the Mayor of Piraeus, Mr. Yannis Moralis, said that this year's anniversary coincides with the 2017 Greece - China Year of Cultural Exchanges and Cooperation. “In this context, there is close contact and cooperation between the two countries, which is based on a wide range of areas, such as entrepreneurship, education, culture. This event is a small part of those that will be held during the year”, noted Mr Moralis, pointing out that Piraeus is a twinned city with Shanghai since 1985 and this is a great opportunity to bring the two port-cities closer.

Earlier on the same day, the Chinese delegation, headed by Shanghai Communist Party and City Secretary Mr Han Zheng, visited Athens Town Hall and met with the City of Athens Mayor, Mr Giorgos Kaminis. During the meeting, the two sides signed the renewal of a memorandum of cooperation (MoU). According to Mr. Kaminis, the renewed MoU extends cooperation beyond tourism and trade into areas such as the exchange of know-how. On his part, Mr. Han called for an intensification of contacts and exchange of visits by municipal officials related to concrete fields such as science, culture and commerce. “Exchanges between the two cities serve as a guide for exchanges between the two countries”, said the Chinese official.

(Source: Municipality of Piraeus / ANA-XINHUA)