Athens Cooperation Forum Highlights Practical China-Greece Partnership

ATHENS, May 12, 2025 — The Athens Cooperation Forum, hosted by Xinhua News Agency’s European Bureau, the Xinhua Institute, and other affiliated organizations, was held today at the historic Zappeion Hall in central Athens on Monday, focusing on expanding practical cooperation between China and Greece across culture, economy, and energy sectors .

Celebrating 50 Years of China-EU Ties with a Focus on Greece

The forum brought together more than a hundred participants, including senior officials, business leaders, and scholars from both China and Greece.

In his opening remarks, Tian Fan, executive director of Xinhua’s European Bureau, noted that the forum takes place at a pivotal moment—marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union. Greece, he emphasized, plays a distinctive role in this broader relationship.

Tian reaffirmed Xinhua’s long-standing commitment to telling authentic stories of China’s global engagement and expressed a desire to deepen cooperation with Greek media, including the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA), to further promote mutual understanding and friendship.

New Opportunities through High-Level Openness and Civilizational Dialogue

Chinese Ambassador to Greece Fang Qiu delivered a keynote address titled “New Opportunities from High-Level Openness,” highlighting the achievements of China-Greece cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. He noted that Greece has become a key partner for China in Europe, particularly in port logistics, green energy, and the digital economy.

Ambassador Fang also addressed current global trade tensions, emphasizing that “there are no winners in tariff wars or trade conflicts. China does not seek confrontation, but it is not afraid of it. Our countermeasures are meant to safeguard legitimate interests and defend the international rules-based order.”

Li Ziliang, Director of Xinhua’s Xinjiang Bureau, presented a keynote speech titled “From Tianshan to Olympus: Xi Jinping Thought on Culture and China-Greece Civilizational Dialogue.” Drawing on rich archaeological and historical examples, he explored the convergence of Chinese and Greek civilizations along the Silk Road, calling modern cultural dialogue an extension of this historical legacy and a vital part of building a shared future for humanity.

Ioannis Theocharopoulos, Chairman of the Greece-China Friendship Association and former ambassador to China, reflected on his diplomatic experience, emphasizing the deep friendship and cultural affinity between the two nations. He pledged continued support for grassroots exchanges that bring the Greek and Chinese people closer together.

Emilios Perdikaris, President of AMNA, stressed the irreplaceable role of journalism in building civilizational trust, expressing support for deeper China-Greece media cooperation.

Pursuing Pragmatic Economic Cooperation in a Changing Global Landscape

The Economic and Financial Sub-Forum was chaired by Zhao Nan, Country Head of Bank of China (Europe) S.A. Athens Branch. Luo Ying, General Manager of Bank of China (Europe), and Theodoros Pelagidis, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Greece, delivered in-depth speeches on economic cooperation amid shifting global dynamics.

Dr. Mao Xuxin, Director of Research at Bank of China London, emphasized the resilience of China’s economy and identified promising areas for collaboration including financial product innovation, green investment, and digital currency trials.

During a high-level dialogue, Caixin Media Founder Hu Shuli and Professor Doukakis, Vice President of the Athens University of Economics and Business, discussed Greece’s economic recovery and the prospects for deeper cooperation with China. They advocated for stronger integration between financial services and industrial upgrading.

In a subsequent roundtable session, representatives from Bank of China, Caixin Media, the Greece-China Chamber of Commerce, and international law firms offered practical recommendations on port operations, SME financing, and regulatory compliance.

Advancing Green Transformation Together

The Sustainable Energy Sub-Forum showcased dynamic cross-sector collaboration. Qu Qi, Deputy CEO of Greece’s national electricity grid operator IPTO, and Li Qing, Deputy Director at the China Electric Power Research Institute, highlighted complementary strengths in building green grid infrastructure.

Li Xin, Board Director at Sichuan Energy Investment Group, underscored that green grids form the backbone of sustainable industrial transformation.

Enterprise leaders from both countries shared updates on smart grid projects, integrated energy storage systems (ESS), and green port technologies. Notably, COSCO Shipping and the Piraeus Port Authority jointly unveiled a “Carbon-Neutral Smart Port Roadmap,” drawing wide attention from attendees.

On behalf of Pelopidas Kaliris, head of the Greek Just Transition Development Authority, Alexandra Mavrogonatou outlined investment opportunities in the transformation of the Megalopolis region—a key coal-reliant city now at the forefront of Greece’s climate-neutral economic transition. She noted the strategic role of the region in aligning with both EU climate goals and Greece’s own Just Development Transition Plan.

Konstantinos Mihopoulos, Mayor of Megalopolis, presented the city’s special urban planning project focused on green energy, low-carbon agriculture, and eco-tourism, positioning it as a European model for post-coal sustainability.

During the forum, the Megalopolis municipal government and the China-Hellas Association for Economic and Cultural Development (CHAECD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the “Megalopolis–China Green Transition Dialogue Platform.”

The forum concluded with a thematic discussion on “China-Europe Renewable Energy Cooperation,” where power experts from both nations called for enhanced collaboration in technology sharing, standard harmonization, and green finance to jointly address the global climate crisis and build a cleaner energy future.

The forum was held with the support of the Chinese Embassy in Greece, the Greece-China Friendship Association, and the China-Hellas Association for Economic and Cultural Development. It was co-organized by Bank of China (Europe) S.A. Athens Branch and State Grid International Development Co., Ltd. With its rich agenda and in-depth exchanges, the forum showcased the shared vision and strong momentum of China and Greece in addressing global challenges through practical cooperation.  Enditem

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