The screenshot photo shows Harry Theoharis, Greece's deputy minister of foreign affairs, interviewed by Xinhua Finance.
SHANGHAI, Nov. 10 (Xinhua Silk Road) -- For Greek businesses looking to expand their footprint in China, the China International Import Expo (CIIE) offers more than a platform to showcase products. It provides a valuable opportunity to connect with Chinese partners, explore investment opportunities and gain access to one of the world's largest consumer markets, according to a senior Greek official.
Speaking to Xinhua Finance on the sidelines of the 9th CIIE in Shanghai, Harry Theoharis, Greece's deputy minister of foreign affairs, emphasized that the expo's ability to bring businesses together under one roof, enabling companies to hold multiple meetings during a single trip, is a particular advantage for Greek enterprises.
A gateway to Chinese consumers
"Connectivity" is one of the CIIE's biggest strengths, Theoharis said, noting that it allows Greek companies to meet a broad range of Chinese businesses and potential importers within a relatively short period of time.
"You can have many meetings in one trip when you come to the CIIE, so this is an important advantage," he said.
Greece's participation in this year's expo is aimed at raising the profile of Greek products among Chinese consumers while forging stronger business ties between the two countries.
The Greek delegation brought together companies from a diverse range of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, construction materials, and agri-food. Greek olives, wine and other agricultural products were also among the products on display.
"We want to make Greek products more known than what they are for Chinese consumers," Theoharis said, adding the delegation has also arranged business-to-business meetings and a business forum to help companies from both countries explore new partnerships in trade and investment.
Running from Nov. 5 to 10, the ninth CIIE has attracted 4,142 overseas exhibitors, including more than 300 Fortune Global 500 companies and leading industry players.
Theoharis said the expo had continued to improve with each edition, reflecting both China's commitment to opening its market and strong international interest in tapping into it.
"It shows two things: one, the growing willingness of China to open its markets and bring products from abroad; and the second is the big interest of the rest of the world for the Chinese market, which is a very important market," he said.
From trade ties to broader investment cooperation
Over the past two decades, China-Greece bilateral economic cooperation has made tangible progress, particularly in trade and investment, ports and shipping, green energy, tourism and agriculture.
Chinese investment in Greece has expanded into sectors such as renewable energy and port infrastructure, Theoharis said. A prominent example is China COSCO Shipping Corporation's investment in the Port of Piraeus, which has helped turn it into one of Europe's major shipping hubs and the continent's fourth-largest port, he noted.
The two countries recently held the 15th Meeting of China-Greece Joint Economic and Trade Commission in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, providing an opportunity to review cooperation and explore new areas for growth.
Greece already has two companies operating factories in the greater Shanghai area, Theoharis said, describing this as an encouraging development while stressing that there is considerable room for Greek businesses to expand their presence in China.
Beyond traditional sectors such as agriculture and food, he identified infrastructure, energy and technology as promising areas for future cooperation. Greece also has a growing pool of artificial intelligence startups, he noted.
"Size is not our advantage," Theoharis said. However, Greece can contribute high-quality engineering talent, technological expertise and innovative startups, creating opportunities for joint research programs and closer ties between academic institutions in the two countries.
Strengthening supply chain resilience through investment
Maritime cooperation is another important pillar of China-Greece economic ties. Greece's strength in global shipping, combined with China's shipbuilding capabilities, provides a solid foundation for collaboration, while port infrastructure and logistics offer further opportunities.
"We have shipbuilding and the ship ecosystem, which is another connection that brings Greece and China together," he said.
Against the backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty and shifting global trade patterns, Theoharis underscored the importance of investment in building more diversified and resilient supply chains.
Investment in infrastructure can expand transport routes and provide alternative channels for trade when geopolitical tensions, conflicts or other disruptions affect existing routes, he said.
Greater diversification can also foster competition, improve efficiency and help bring down costs, while making international supply networks more resilient to external shocks.
Theoharis cited COSCO's investment in the Port of Piraeus as a case in point, saying infrastructure investment can strengthen connectivity and create additional transport options for international trade.
"The more investments we do, the better, more resilient our economy will be," he said.
As the CIIE continues to bring together businesses from around the world, its value for Greece extends beyond immediate export opportunities. It also provides a platform for building longer-term commercial partnerships, attracting investment and strengthening industrial links with China. (Contributed by Ji Lei and Gao Pan)
A single purchase
