The Greek former prime minister Kostas Karamanlis sent messages to the government during his speech at the Greek-Chinese Chamber of Commerce commemorating 30 years since its establishment (1995-2025). Specifically, the former prime minister referred to the signing in 2008 of the agreement for COSCO to undertake the operation and management of two container terminal stations at the Greek port of Piraeus.
“Already in 2008, the official visit to Greece by President Hu Jintao established this cooperation with the signing of an agreement for COSCO to undertake operation and management of two container terminal stations at the port of Piraeus,” Karamanlis stated.
In the aftermath of American Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle’s statements, the former prime minister emphasized the importance of COSCO’s investment in developing the port of Piraeus. “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,” the former prime minister stressed. “The fact that today there is intense activity towards the creation of competitive port infrastructure is the best proof of the success of that political choice,” he stressed.
Karamanlis, highlighted, among other things, the signing in 2006 of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. “A key parameter of this agreement was the provision that, given the unique importance of shipping and shipbuilding in bilateral economic and commercial relations, the two countries would encourage cooperation between our ports and shipping companies. We would also assist in the implementation of direct waterway transportation through our ports to neighboring countries and regions. The goal was to make Greece the main gateway for Chinese products to the Balkans and European markets.”
As he emphasized, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership placed Greek-Chinese relations on a new footing and gave them a truly strategic character.
Special reference was made to Piraeus, which through Greek-Chinese cooperation has developed port of Piraeus into the largest port in Greece and the largest in the Mediterranean.
Responding indirectly to U.S. Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle’s recent statements on Greek TV network ANT1 about China’s presence at Piraeus port, the former prime minister conveyed that: “It should be noted that, during that period, no other serious international player had expressed interest in the port of Piraeus. The fact that today there is intense activity towards creating competitive port infrastructure is the best proof of the success of that political choice.”
In accordance with the former prime minister, 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.
The Hellenic Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Tourism & Shipping celebrated its 30th anniversary with a commemorative event entitled “1995-2025: Bridging Cultures and Shaping the Future of Hellenic-Chinese Business Relations,” on November 20.
Distinguished guests ranged from representatives of the Greek government and the country’s political sphere, officials from national and international chambers of commerce, diplomats, and members of the business community from all sectors of the Greek economy, as well as members of the Chamber.
The event provided the occasion for a review of the potential for cooperation between Greece and China, with an emphasis on the maritime sector, technology and investments.
The anniversary ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including big names in the shipping industry such as George Procopiou, Capt. Panagiotis Tsakos and Evangelos Angelakos.
The Greek shipowner George Procopiou emphasized that “the sea unites us, it does not divide us” and spoke about his career in shipping and his relationship with China.
Procopiou was honored for his 55-year career in shipping and his contribution to strengthening Greek-Chinese relations. In his speech, he mentioned that shipping is the means through which globalization is applied, as “the efficiency of shipping makes distance irrelevant.”
