Chinese President Hu Jintao said in Athens on Tuesday that China hopes to push its ties with Greece to a higher level.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis in Athens, capital of Greece, Nov. 25, 2008.[Xinhua Photo]

The Chinese government has attached great importance to its relations with Greece and has been viewing the bilateral ties from a strategic and long-term perspective, Hu said during his meeting with Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.

China hopes to expand the scope of shared interests with Greece and push forward bilateral cooperation in various sectors, the Chinese president said.

He suggested that the two sides set up a guideline for long-term economic cooperation and establish a more effective communication platform for enterprises on both sides.

He said that the Chinese government supports competent Chinese enterprises to invest in Greece and carry out mutually beneficial cooperation in telecom, energy, environmental protection, tourism and isle development.

He also proposed the two countries pay more attention to cooperation in the oceanic shipping industry.

In addition, China and Greece should devote major efforts to strengthening cultural cooperation, he said.

The two sides should enhance cooperation in language teaching, the protection of cultural relics, the press and publication, said the Chinese president.

Efforts should also be made to advance academic and youth exchanges and to explore cooperation potential in traditional medicine, disaster prevention and relief, as well as in social development, the Chinese president said.

Karamanlis said significant progress has been achieved in the Greek-Chinese ties after the two nations formed the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2006.

He echoed Hu by saying that the two sides should enhance cooperation in oceanic shipping and tourism.

Greece hopes to become a gateway of Chinese commodities into the region and welcomes Chinese people to visit the country, he said.

The two sides should also strengthen cooperation within international organizations as the world is faced with major challenges like the current financial crisis, the Greek prime minister said.

The two leaders also discussed Sino-European relations.

China is willing to work with its European partners to properly handle major issues of common concern and resolve differences in an effort to strengthen strategic mutual-trust, push forward cooperation in all areas and ensure the growth of the Sino-Europe comprehensive strategic partnership in the long run, Hu said.

He added that China appreciates the endeavor and contribution by Greece to the development of Sino-European ties and hoped the Greek side will play a more active role in the future.

For his part, Karamanlis promised to continue its active efforts in boosting China-EU relations in an all-round manner.

Hu arrived in Athens on Monday for a state visit to Greece, the last leg of his five-nation trip. He had earlier attended a financial summit in Washington and paid state visits to Costa Rica, Cuba and Peru, where he also attended the Economic Leaders' Informal Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Lima.

(Xinhua News Agency November 26, 2008)