In Athens, Greece, Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Greek counterpart, Karolos Papoulias have agreed to lift the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to a new height. Hu Jintao started his visit to Greece on Monday.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Greek counterpart, Karolos Papoulias have agreed to lift the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to a new height.

During his talks with Papoulias, Hu first thanked Greece for its support for the Beijing Olympic Games and the Paralympics.

The Chinese president said that Sino-Greek relations are now at a new historical starting point and are faced with broader prospects. He said both sides have seen rapid growth in two-way trade and bilateral cooperation in sea transportation has entered a new era.