Chinese, Greek leaders vow to deepen cooperation at various levels

ATHENS-- Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Liu Yunshan met with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos here on Tuesday, agreeing to deepen cooperation between the two countries at various levels and respect each other's core interests.

Liu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, conveyed best regards from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Pavlopoulos, saying China-Greece relations have stood the test of ever-changing international situations and achieved constant progress on cooperation since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 44 years ago.

China is ready to conduct closer cooperation with Greece at various levels, share mutual understanding and support on issues related to each other's core and major interests, said Liu.

Liu highlighted enhanced dialogue among different civilizations, saying China and Greece, as two ancient civilizations in the world, should learn from each other and play an active role in jointly forging four major China-Europe partnerships for peace, growth, reform and civilization.

Pavlopoulos, for his part, appreciated China's stance on Greece's debt crisis, saying he is satisfied with the sound development of bilateral relationship.

Greece and China both should take advantage of their cultural influence and set an example for other countries to give importance to cultural exchanges, said Pavlopoulos.

Liu is on an official goodwill visit to Greece that began Sunday. On Monday, Liu met with Greek parliamentary speaker Nikos Voutsis.

Liu told Voutsis that China and Greece should enhance cultural exchanges, which would in turn help deepen traditional friendship and inject positive energy into world peace and development.

Both Liu and Voutsis attended the China-Europe Civilization Dialogue held in Athens on Monday.