Chinese military chief General Fu Quanyou arrived Athens Tuesday night for a five-day official visit to Greece.

In a written statement released upon his arrival at the Athens airport, General Fu, member of the Chinese Central Military Commission and Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), said that the Chinese government and the PLA attach great importance to the development of friendly relations and cooperation with Greece and its army.

General Fu stressed that the aim of his visit is to deepen mutual understanding, enhance trust, develop friendship and strengthen the cooperation between the two armies in all fields.

General Fu met with Greece's Deputy Defense Minister Dimitrios Apostolakis later in the day and he is also expected to meet with Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos Wednesday.

During his visit, the first of its kind by a Chinese Chief of the General Staff, General Fu will also visit the Greek Fleet Command and the special forces' training center.

(Xinhua 01/03/2001)