China-Greece Forum Commemorates 20 Years of Strategic Partnership
Athens (ANTARA) - A forum on intercultural dialogue and mutual civilisational learning to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Greece was held in Athens on Thursday (7/5).
The forum, themed “The Beauty of Harmony: Coexistence Through Integration,” was jointly organised by Xinhua News Agency, the Chinese Embassy in Greece, and the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Lyu Yansong, editor-in-chief of Xinhua News Agency, stated that the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Greece continues to deepen under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state.
As China’s national news agency, Xinhua has always been committed to reporting on practical and friendly cooperation as well as intercultural dialogue and mutual learning between the two civilisations.
Amid a crucial crossroads concerning the future of humanity, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for building a world where “the light of civilisation illuminates the right path for human progress,” Lyu said.
Lyu explained that as an important bridge for people-to-people communication and a vital force in promoting intercultural dialogue, the media also bears unique social responsibilities.
Moving forward, Xinhua is ready to work with Chinese and Greek partners to uphold a vision of civilisation based on equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusivity, actively promote shared human values, advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and contribute to intercultural mutual learning.
He noted that the Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency, has released a report titled “Cultural Empowerment Theory: China’s Cultural Awareness in Advancing High-Quality Development.”
The report not only reflects practical insights into China’s ongoing efforts to promote cultural empowerment for high-quality development but also provides intellectual support for countries worldwide to achieve sustainable economic and social development and promote intercultural exchanges and mutual learning, Lyu elaborated.
Former Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos stated that the commemorative event marks an important milestone in Greece-China cooperation.
The two sides have achieved beneficial results in trade, economic, and investment cooperation, while further deepening a multidimensional partnership centred on civilisational exchanges and dialogue, Pavlopoulos said, adding that cooperation between the two sides has broad prospects.
Chinese Ambassador to Greece Fang Qiu stated that in the future, China and Greece will strengthen strategic alignment, advance cooperation in areas such as digital infrastructure, green transition, and smart manufacturing, continuously deepen intercultural mutual learning and practical cooperation, and promote mutual empowerment in culture, trade, and economy.
Former Greek Foreign Minister George Katrougalos said that the significance of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Greece and China becomes increasingly evident amid profound changes in the international order.
The friendship between Greece and China has endured and grown stronger, while China’s Belt and Road Initiative has brought tangible development benefits to Greece, Katrougalos added.
Tang Wei, deputy head of China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration, stated that cultural heritage cooperation has become a hallmark of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Greece.