On November 25, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao met separately in Athens with George Papandreou, leader of the Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement, and Aleka Papariga, general secretary of the Communist Party of Greece.

During his meeting with George Papandreou, Hu said that the movement is an important political force on the Greek political arena, as well as an old friend of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The relationship between the CPC and the Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement has become an important part of the political ties between China and Greece, Hu said. The Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement, Hu said, always carries out a friendly policy toward China and adheres to the one-China policy. Hu spoke highly of the important role the party played in expanding friendly cooperation between Greece and China. He said that the CPC would increase exchanges and enhance cooperation with the Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement so as to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese people and the Greek people, and strengthen the China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership. China is ready to enhance strategic dialogue with the Socialist International and exchange views with it on major international and regional issues of common concern.

Papandreou said the two peoples share a profound friendship and the successful hosting of the Beijing Olympic Games has further promoted bilateral friendly cooperative relations. He said that Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement has maintained good, cooperative relations with the CPC and would make efforts to enhance friendly cooperation between Greece and China. The Socialist International attaches great importance to China’s role and positive influence in international affairs and hopes to gain support from China in realizing sustainable development and coping with the current international financial crisis.

During his meeting with Aleka Papariga, Hu congratulated him on the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Greece. He said that the Communist Party of Greece adheres to the theory of Marxism and remains committed to protecting the rights and interests of working people, with rich experience in party development. The Communist Party of Greece has shown long-standing support to China’s socialist cause and attaches importance to exchanges and cooperation between the two countries and their peoples. He expressed his gratitude to Papariga for the party's support for the Beijing Olympic Games and its support to China on the issues concerning Taiwan, Tibet and human rights. The CPC would further its ties with the Communist Party of Greece based on the principles of independence, full equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, Hu said.

In reply, Papariga hailed the pragmatic and effective exchanges and cooperation between the Communist Party of Greece and the CPC, as well as their sound collaboration in World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) and other international organizations. He said that the Communist Party of Greece attaches importance to its cooperation with the CPC and China's significant role in dealing with international affairs. The party would continue to work for lasting and friendly cooperation between the two countries and the two parties, and increase exchanges of views with the CPC on how to deal with world issues such as the international financial crisis.

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