Kostas Karamanlis: In 2006 we signed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which put Greek-Chinese relations on a new footing and gave them a truly strategic character

Address by the former Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis

at the event for the 30th anniversary

of the Hellenic Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Tourism & Shipping

Athens, 20 November 2025

Dear members of the Board

and members of the Hellenic Chinese Chamber

of Commerce, Industry, Tourism & Shipping,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to thank you for this honour. The 30th anniversary of the founding of the Hellenic Chinese Chamber marks a long path of contribution to Greek-Chinese business relations and to the business development of our country. And it also updates the geopolitical vision we share for establishing Greece as a hub for development and cooperation in the region, by tapping into all our comparative advantages.

Almost twenty years ago, Greece and China agreed and managed to give an unprecedented momentum to our relations. Until then, our political contacts were sporadic and our economic relations were limited. At first glance, it is not obvious what it was that made two countries so distant from each other and so different in terms of size, economy and geopolitics, since Greece is a member of NATO and the EU, give such an impetus to their relations in such a short period of time. And yet, in 2006 we signed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which put Greek-Chinese relations on a new footing and gave them a truly strategic character. The momentum was offered by circumstances, but above all by the convergence of political will and strategic aspirations on both sides.

The circumstance of our two countries hosting the Olympic Games in succession led us to come closer. The passing of the Olympic Games from Athens in 2004 to Beijing in 2008 gave us a unique opportunity to cooperate on a theme that pointed to a common characteristic: the ancient character of our civilizations. Something to which we both attach particular importance and which we value throughout time. At that moment, we spotted the opportunity that was presented for a more intensive bilateral approach. In 2005, we established a Joint Olympic Cooperation Committee with the aim of cooperating and offering China the know-how acquired during the organization of the Athens Olympic Games.

This was the circumstance. However, at the same time, there was also the coincidence of complementary strategic aspirations of Greece and China. Our government had a multidimensional approach in its foreign policy, with an emphasis on economic diplomacy and the aim of making Greece a strategic hub for the wider region. On the other hand, China’s economic growth was leading it to extend its economic influence beyond its borders and Greece was selected as the most suitable gateway to European markets.

Within the framework of this new dynamic, our government focused mainly on the shipping sector, trade and tourism. Our dynamic shipping sector was our great comparative advantage, on which the main interests and priorities of the two countries could meet. The readiness to proceed with the privatization of important ports also contributed. At the same time, Greek exports, especially those of quality agricultural products, such as olive oil and wine, were a central point of our economic diplomacy. And in the tourism sector, Greece’s “heavy industry”, we saw a huge opportunity in the expected increase in the mobility of Chinese tourists. And indeed, during that time, the way opened for a significant increase in trade, investment and tourist flows.

I would like to emphasise in particular the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that we signed in 2006, during my visit to China, and its strategic importance for our maritime cooperation. A key parameter of this agreement was the provision that, given the unique importance of shipping and shipbuilding in bilateral economic and trade relations, the two countries would encourage cooperation between our ports and our shipping companies. We would also jointly assist in the implementation of direct waterway transportation via each other’s ports to neighboring countries and regions. The goal was to make Greece a main gateway for Chinese products to the Balkans and European markets. A second goal was to possibly assemble Chinese products, before they reach these markets, in plants that would be set up in Greece. And the third goal was to transport these products to international markets by Greek-owned ships. Hence, this provision was the precursor to the “flagship” of the Greek-Chinese bilateral relations: cooperation in shipping.

Already in 2008, the state visit of President Hu Jintao in Greece cemented this cooperation with the signing of the agreement, under which COSCO undertook the operation and management of two container terminals in the port of Piraeus. The investment was one of the largest ever made in Greece. Today, the port of Piraeus is the 8th largest in the world, 3rd in Europe and the largest in the Mediterranean, according to recent measurements. We should note that, at that time, no other reliable international actor had expressed interest for the Port of Piraeus. And the fact that today there is intense activity in the direction of creating competing port facilities is the best proof of the success of that political choice.

At the same time, Greek shipowners were quick to identify the opportunities offered by the rising export-oriented Chinese growth and by the Chinese shipbuilding industry. More than 60% of Chinese imports were carried by Greek-owned ships and about half of the exports. In addition, more than 400 Greek-owned ships were built in China over a period of 10-15 years, making Greek shipowners the most important customers of Chinese shipyards.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The momentum that Greek-Chinese relations acquired at that time offered many opportunities. However, it also encountered and still encounters external challenges. While there may be significant differences between Greece and China, mainly in terms of size, but also participation into different geopolitical formations, there is nevertheless mutual respect, which stems also from the ancient origins of our cultures. The work that this Chamber has been doing over the last 30 years is important not only from a business perspective, but also in relation to Greece’s extroversion and its position in the region. Greek-Chinese relations are mutually beneficial. With actions and initiatives in the maritime sector as our main pillar, we can be optimistic for the future.