On January 20, 2006, Chairman Wu Bangguo of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) and Chairman Jia Qinglin of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) met respectively with Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis in Beijing.

Wu said that in recent years, both sides have conducted frequent exchanges at all levels, built up mutual understanding and trust and shared the same or similar views on many major international and regional issues. They have also carried out sound cooperation in international affairs and the exchanges and cooperation in the areas of culture, education and science & technology have been developing rapidly. The Olympics and tourism are becoming new priority areas in bilateral cooperation.

He said that the NPC of China resolutely supports developing friendly relations with Greece and hopes that both sides will make joint efforts to push for comprehensive and in-depth development of bilateral relations. The two countries have their respective advantages in the area of economy & trade and their cooperation in this regard is faced with a favorable opportunity. It is hoped that both sides will discuss new cooperative approaches and channels especially in the areas of marine transportation, shipbuilding and port construction, as well as tourism. The NPC of China would like to conduct exchanges with the Greek parliament at various levels and through all channels and make joint contributions to promoting development of bilateral relations.

Karamanlis said that Greece attaches great importance to developing relations with China. Greece would like to make joint efforts with China in pushing bilateral relations to score new achievements.

Jia said that on January 19, Premier Wen Jiabao and Prime Minister Karamanlis jointly signed the joint statement on establishing comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Greece, which has guided the direction for the development of bilateral relations and will further push for mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas.

Jia briefed the guest on the preparations for the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and indicated that China would like to learn from Greece's successful experience in hosting the Olympics and deepen bilateral cooperation in this regard. China also welcomes related parties of Greece to actively participate in arena construction and market development for the Beijing Olympics. He also noted that the CPPCC of China would like to continue strengthening exchanges and cooperation with the Greek parliament and make contributions to promoting bilateral friendly relations and the friendship between both peoples.

Karamanlis said that China has a profound cultural foundation and the hosting of the next Olympics by China will better carry forward the Olympic spirit. Greece will share experience in hosting the Olympics with China without reservation.

On January 20, 2006, Chairman Wu Bangguo of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) and Chairman Jia Qinglin of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) met respectively with Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis in Beijing.

Wu said that in recent years, both sides have conducted frequent exchanges at all levels, built up mutual understanding and trust and shared the same or similar views on many major international and regional issues. They have also carried out sound cooperation in international affairs and the exchanges and cooperation in the areas of culture, education and science & technology have been developing rapidly. The Olympics and tourism are becoming new priority areas in bilateral cooperation.

He said that the NPC of China resolutely supports developing friendly relations with Greece and hopes that both sides will make joint efforts to push for comprehensive and in-depth development of bilateral relations. The two countries have their respective advantages in the area of economy & trade and their cooperation in this regard is faced with a favorable opportunity. It is hoped that both sides will discuss new cooperative approaches and channels especially in the areas of marine transportation, shipbuilding and port construction, as well as tourism. The NPC of China would like to conduct exchanges with the Greek parliament at various levels and through all channels and make joint contributions to promoting development of bilateral relations.

Karamanlis said that Greece attaches great importance to developing relations with China. Greece would like to make joint efforts with China in pushing bilateral relations to score new achievements.

Jia said that on January 19, Premier Wen Jiabao and Prime Minister Karamanlis jointly signed the joint statement on establishing comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Greece, which has guided the direction for the development of bilateral relations and will further push for mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas.

Jia briefed the guest on the preparations for the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and indicated that China would like to learn from Greece's successful experience in hosting the Olympics and deepen bilateral cooperation in this regard. China also welcomes related parties of Greece to actively participate in arena construction and market development for the Beijing Olympics. He also noted that the CPPCC of China would like to continue strengthening exchanges and cooperation with the Greek parliament and make contributions to promoting bilateral friendly relations and the friendship between both peoples.

Karamanlis said that China has a profound cultural foundation and the hosting of the next Olympics by China will better carry forward the Olympic spirit. Greece will share experience in hosting the Olympics with China without reservation.