By Panos Leivadas
That the People's Republic of China has become a significant
player in the global arena is an indisputable fact that prompts
international interest. Greece not only embraces this development
but also sees in it great potential for multileveled bilateral
co-operation. After all, the two countries have always been tied
together with a long and strong bond of friendship, mutual
understanding and respect.
China, empowered by the physical size of its land as well as the
vigor of its human capital and confidence in the momentous growth
of its economy, looks ahead with optimism. As it steadily opens its
gates to the world, new opportunities present themselves in terms
of closer co-operation between
Greece and China even more so, of course, given that the two
peoples share a common sense of history and deep understanding of
humanitarian principles.
Within this context that is especially positive for our
bilateral relations, the fact that Beijing will hold the Olympic
Games of 2008 immediately following those of Athens and that we
will, therefore, co-operate extensively on a new level is a most
promising coincidence for both countries. On the one hand, it is
important for Greece that we constitute the first society since we
organized, with great success, the Olympics of 2004 that China gets
to know during the further opening of its economy and society, in
the last few years.
For China, the above coincidence is of great significance since
Greece is not only a good old friend but also the paradigm for how
a country can turn international criticism into international
recognition. In other words, the Chinese people have great respect
for a country that delivered with respect to a challenge of great
magnitude and was, in the process, recognized as a stable and safe
environment of reliable partners. Proving everyone that doubted
her, Greece improved her image abroad; this now provides added
value to all aspects of herself.
Since China is well aware of the fact that the Olympics
inherently go beyond the boundaries of an athletics competition to
be a multifaceted event that transforms perceptions, she aspires to
pleasantly stun the world. It is no surprise that Beijing is
co-operating with Greece in terms of transfer of know-how
concerning overall Olympic preparations, communications,
organizational experience, security and other matters.
In the wake of this co-operation and as the two peoples get to
know each other better, our bilateral relations deepen and broaden.
Indicative of the further cordiality between us is the fact that
the year 2008, when the whole world will be watching Beijing, will
be the cultural year of Greece.
At the same time, our co-operation in other fields is also
getting increasingly extensive as we capitalize on our strong
relations and the happy occasion of the Olympic Games taking place
in Athens and Beijing subsequently.
First, in terms of the maritime industry, where Greece
undoubtedly is a leading global power, we aim at broader
collaboration. After all, the Greek maritime sector has great
potential since we hold the first place in ship ownership and have
the top purchasing power in the world, in terms of legal, banking,
and other services in the business.
Among the goals of co-operation in this field is to render Greek
ports into distribution centers and commercial nodes for Chinese
products directed to Southern Eastern Europe as well as the broader
region. This would clearly present great opportunities for Chinese
commerce and Greek business, in general.
Second, there is close co-operation between Greek and Chinese
small and medium-sized enterprises; the above has the potential to
draw significant amounts of investment into both countries. But
also in terms of specific products, we explore opportunities for
further collaborating with each other. For instance, there is great
interest on the part of our Chinese business partners in
premium-quality Greek virgin olive oil. All in all, both countries
aspire to capitalize on each other's comparative advantages in
products and services, within the context of respect, co-operation
and mutual growth.
Lastly, the two countries collaborate to a great extent in the
tourist industry, given the Chinese people's cultural and
historical interest in our country. Of course, this interest has
grown further, since the two societies have gotten to know each
other better due to the happy Olympic coincidence. After all,
tourism both promotes and exemplifies friendship between societies.
Our focused efforts have already borne much fruit. Greece has
launched multiple advertising campaigns in China and actively
participates in tourist exhibitions.
The author is Secretary-General of Information with the
Ministry of State, Greece.
(China Daily February 16, 2006)
