The futures of Greece and China lie in the sea

By Zou Xiaoli *

Over the years, the China Classification Society (CCS) has played a significant role in promoting the R&D capability of Chinese-owned intellectual property in high value-added ships. It has also contributed to strengthening maritime exchanges and cooperation between China and the world at large, Greece in particular, thus becoming a bridge between the two sides. Among the Greeks present here are those who are not only business partners of Chinese companies but also friends of China. You have rendered from time to time precious help to my country and the Chinese Embassy in Athens. I take this opportunity to extend to you my heartfelt thanks.

Serving as Chinese ambassador to Greece, I have enjoyed more opportunities to be close to the sea and to contact people from sea-related circles. My thinking and sentiments have hence headed towards the sea, and one perception is gradually becoming explicit and consolidated. That is, the friendly cooperation between China and Greece came initially from the sea and its future lies in the sea.

Greece is a good friend that New China has made through the sea. We will never forget that more than a half century ago, when diplomatic ties between China and Greece had not even been established, some visionary and courageous Greek shipowners, despite the embargo imposed on China by Western powers, transported strategic supplies for the People’s Republic. Today, their offspring still maintain ties of traditional friendship with China. In 2011, Greece once again extended a hand to China in helping evacuate by sea tens of thousands of Chinese nationals from Libya. The Chinese navy conducts escort missions for the Greek fleet in the Gulf of Aden and has rescued Greek merchant vessels from pirate attacks...

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