The Chinese Embassy in Athens hosted a high-profile reception this week to mark the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, bringing together nearly 500 distinguished guests from politics, business, academia, culture, and the diplomatic community.
Among the attendees were Ioannis Plakiotakis, Vice President of the Hellenic Parliament, Christos Dimas, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, and Giannis Loverdos, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, who joined Ambassador Fang in addressing the audience.
In his speech, Ambassador Fang emphasized China’s remarkable transformation over the past seven decades—from a nation scarred by poverty to the world’s second-largest economy. He underlined that, despite global economic headwinds, China continues to drive nearly 30% of worldwide growth while advancing in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, green energy, aerospace, and quantum computing.
“China provides not only stability but also confidence to a world seeking balance and recovery,” he said, highlighting the country’s growing role in global innovation and trade.
The Ambassador also pointed to China’s increasing openness, with foreign investment spanning 20 sectors and more than 1.2 million enterprises, as well as initiatives such as the Belt and Road, which now counts over 150 participating countries. “China seeks to contribute stability and wisdom drawn from its rich civilization to help shape a more equitable international order,” he noted.
A key theme of the evening was the deepening partnership between China and Greece. Fang praised the historic and cultural bonds linking the two nations, as well as the practical cooperation in recent years—from energy and infrastructure to education and cultural exchange.
Notable milestones include Shanghai’s strategic cooperation agreement with the Attica Region, new agreements on Greek aquatic exports to China, China State Grid’s investment in the Crete DC Interconnection, and the launch of direct flights between Chengdu and Athens. On the cultural front, the establishment of the Hellenic Sinology Center and joint heritage projects have further strengthened people-to-people ties.
Looking ahead, Fang stressed that 2025 will mark the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Greece, a milestone he hopes will elevate bilateral relations to “unprecedented heights.”
The evening concluded with a toast to the prosperity of both nations and to the enduring friendship between the Chinese and Greek peoples.