On November 24, 2008, visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with his Greek counterpart Karolos Papoulias in Athens. Both sides agreed to join hands to lift the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to a new height for the benefit of both peoples.

During his talks with Papoulias, Hu said both China and Greece are ancient civilizations and the friendship between the two peoples goes back to ancient times. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 36 years ago, bilateral ties have maintained sound momentum of development and can serve as a model for mutual understanding and harmonious coexistence between countries with different civilization, social system or development level. Hu thanked Greece for its support for the Beijing Olympic Games and the Paralympics. The Greek side also rendered support for Beijing in the torch lighting and relay to ensure the success of relevant activities, he added.

In recent years, China and Greece have seen rapid growth in two-way trade and bilateral cooperation in sea transportation has entered a new era, he added. The “Year of Greek Culture” has been successfully concluded in China, building up mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. Sino-Greek relations now stand on a new historical starting point and are faced with broader prospects, the Chinese president said. Hu made a four-point proposal on the development of bilateral ties.

First, consolidate Sino-Greek friendship and build political trust. Hu called for efforts to maintain high-level contacts and expand non-governmental and people-to-people exchanges. Hu suggested that both sides enhance dialogue and cooperation between the governments, legislatures and political parties of the two countries and show mutual understanding and support on each other’s major concerns. The Chinese leader expressed hope that Greece will continue to play an active and important role in advancing China-Europe ties in the framework of the European Union.

Second, explore new areas and expand pragmatic cooperation. China is willing to import more Greek commodities that cater to its market and will encourage competent Chinese enterprises to invest in Greece and participate in Greece’s infrastructure construction, Hu said. China will seize opportunities to work together with the Greek side in harbor and port construction to enhance bilateral cooperation in sea transportation, he added. China will also promote bilateral cooperation in such newly emerging industries as energy, environmental protection and tourism, Hu said.

Third, expand humanities exchanges and deepen the friendship between the two peoples. The two countries should draw on the useful experiences of the “Year of Greek Culture” and their cooperation during the Beijing Olympiad and carry out cultural exchanges in various forms by making good use of their rich cultural resources. He called for enhanced exchanges between colleges, research institutes, think tanks and media of the two countries and increased number of exchange students. Both sides should also expand regional and non-governmental exchanges so that the friendship between the two countries can be deeply rooted in the hearts of both peoples.

Fourth, enhance multilateral cooperation and seek harmonious development. Hu said that China attaches importance to China-Europe relations as well as Greece’s important influence in European affairs. China is ready to enhance communication and coordination with Greece within multilateral organizations such as the United Nations on major international issues including the reform of the UN, climate change, environmental protection, sustainable development and regional hot issues in efforts to jointly promote world peace and development.

Papoulias warmly congratulated on the complete success of the Beijing Olympic Games, adding that he was pleased to see that Athens and Beijing hosted the two first Olympiads in the new century. He expressed agreement with Hu’s views and proposals on bilateral ties and hailed the dynamic cultural cooperation and sound trade collaboration between the two countries. It's "encouraging" that China will continue to take measures to achieve trade balance with Greece, he said. Papoulias hoped that both sides will increase high-level visits, and enhance cooperation on culture, economy, trade, investment, ship making and marine transportation, in a bid to push forward bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. Papoulias pledged that his country will continue to make active efforts for the development of China-Europe relations.

During the talks, Hu also briefed Papoulias on the G20 summit on the financial markets and world economy held in Washington and measures adopted by the Chinese government to boost domestic demand and stimulate economic growth.

Papoulias said that Greece has always followed closely China's development and its role in the international arena. China's position expounded by Hu at the G20 summit showed "China's willingness to tackle the financial crisis along with the international community," he said. He spoke highly of the positive measures adopted by the Chinese government to cope with the international financial crisis.

Papoulias also briefed Hu on the situation in the West Balkan region. Hu said seeking peace and development has become a basic policy of all countries in the West Balkan region. Hu said he hoped countries in the region will, by proceeding from the long-term interest of their national development, address issues left over from history through patient dialogues and build a West Balkan region of lasting stability, prosperity and development.

Following the talks, Hu and Papoulias attended a signing ceremony of a cooperation document on plant quarantine and later jointly met the press.

Prior to the talks, President Hu attended a grand welcoming ceremony held by Papoulias.

Ling Jihua, Wang Huning and Dai Bingguo attended the above activities.