CPAFFC delegation led by Vice President Xie Yuan visited Greece from July 27th to 30th. During the visit, Vice President Xie met with Mr.Petros Tatoulis, Governor of Peloponnese Region, Ms. Katerina Thanopoulou, Vice Governor of Attica Region and Mr. Dimitrios Kafantatis, Vice President of Hellenic Mayors’ Association and Mayor of Pylos.

Left: Mr. Xu Hong, Vice President of CHAECD Middle:Mr.Petros Tatoulis, Governor of Peloponnese Region  Right:Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of CPAFFC 

Governor Tatoulis visited Beijing, Shanghai, Yiwu and Jiaxing this June at the invitation of CPAFFC. After one month CPAFFC paid this visit back. Vice President Xie and Governor Tatoulis exchanged views in conducting mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and cultural exchanges between the local governments of China and Greece. Governor Tatoulis introduced that with its location in Mediterranean region, Greece was famous for its olive oil and other healthy food. Greece held a leading position in the world in terms of food safety and would like to conduct practical cooperation with China. After the meeting, on behalf of CPAFFC, Vice President Xie signed an MOU with Peloponnese regional government and Chinese-Hellenic Association for Economic and Cultural Development (CHAECD). According to the MOU,CPAFFC and Peloponnese region will co-host a food safety seminar as well as several cultural exchange activities next year.

Vice President Xie Yuan meeting with Mr.Petros Tatoulis, Governor of Peloponnese Region

Ms. Katerina Thanopoulou, Vice Governor of Attica Region briefed Vice President Xie about the progress Attica region has made in pension and handicapped assistance. Xie said that CPAFFC would like to collaborate with Attica region in these fields, while recommend Chinese provinces which have made sound progress in relative fields to establish sister-region relationship with Attica region, so as to exchange experiences and seek for common development.

Vice President Xie Yuan meeting with Mr. Dimitrios Kafantatis, Vice President of Hellenic Mayors’ Association and Mayor of Pylos

Mr. Dimitrios Kafantatis, Vice President of Hellenic Mayors’ Association and Mayor of Pylos expressed his gratitude to the delegation for coming at such a difficult time of Greece, which indicated the friendship between Greece and China. Kafantatis wished that links would be established between Hellenic Mayors’ Association and CPAFFC through this meeting, in order to promote the exchanges and cooperation between local governments of the two countries in the future. Vice President Xie expressed his wishes to the recovery of Hellenic economy, and confirmed to recommend Chinese cities to establish sister-city relationship with Pylos. Xie also invited Hellenic Mayors’ Association to present at the China International Friendship Cities Conference which was going to be held next November in Shandong Province in China.

Greece is located in the south of Balkan Peninsula with coasts on three sides. It is the birthplace of western civilization. Greece used to play as an active role on the Old Silk Road. Today, as the cultural intersection of Europe and Asia, Greece has become the meeting point of the New Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Premier Li Keqiang signed trade and investment agreements with Greece in June 2014 during his visit to Greece, with the total volume of 4.6 billion US dollars. China and Greece as two ancient countries with splendid culture, will establish new ties through “One Belt One Road” . The visit of CPAFFC is in line with “One Belt One Road” Strategy, with the aim of promoting the practical cooperation and common development in economy, trade and culture between local governments of China and Greece.