ATHENS, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The promotion of Greece as an investment destination for Chinese investors, the strengthening of bilateral relations between Greece and China and the launch of a direct flight from Xi'an to Greece dominated the discussions of the Greek delegation that visited the region on December 10-12.
Former Greek caretaker premier Vasiliki Thanou headed the delegation, accompanied by Alternate Minister for Rural Development and Food Yannis Tsironis and MP Nicholas Nikolopoulos, as well as representatives of the tourism sector, local government and the business world.
The aim of the delegation was to inform Chinese investors about Greece through briefings at the "2017 China (Xi'an) - Greece Investment and Financing Trade Forum" and to discuss with investors about their possible participation in Greek companies' investment plans. The event was organised on the Chinese side by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Xi'an Branch, China Chamber of Commerce Xi'an Branch, China International Economic Association and the China Association for International Economic Cooperation (CAFIEC) of China's Ministry of Commerce. On the Greek side, it was organised by Belt and Road Associates.
Shaanxi Province is one of China's strongest regions economically, with an annual GDP of nearly 280 billion dollars, a little below Beijing's 330 billion dollars and Shanghai's 360 billion dollars.
Xi'an City Governor Shangguan Jiqing, during his meeting with the Greek delegation, spoke warmly about Greece and the ties connecting the two countries.
On her part, Thanou mentioned the ties with Xi'an as well as the investment opportunities offered by Greece and invited the Chinese to invest in Greece, pointing out that it has now emerged from the economic crisis and is on growth track, while at the same time urging Chinese people to visit Greece, learn about its history and enjoy the Greek sun and the sea.
Moreover, she asked for a direct air link from Xi'an to Greece, with the Chinese governor responding immediately and confirming his commitment to launch direct flights within the next 24 months. (Source: Athens News Agency; edited by Zhang Yuan, zhangyuan11@xinhua.org)
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