2021: Greece-China Year of Culture and Tourism
On Wednesday 11/18, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Organization of the Year of Culture and Tourism in 2021 was signed in Beijing by the Government of the Hellenic Republic and the Government of the People's Republic of China. The Memorandum was signed by the Ambassador of Greece, Mr. Georgios Iliopoulos, and the Minister of Culture and Tourism of China, Mr. Hu Heping.
As stated, in the Memorandum, through the Greece-China Year of Culture and Tourism in 2021, the two countries aim to deepen their traditional relations, confirm the friendship of the two peoples, expand their cooperation and organize projects in culture and tourism.
Regarding Culture, the two countries will strengthen their cooperation on aspects related to cultural heritage and contemporary artistic creation. In particular, they will cooperate to tackle illegal trade of archaeological artifacts, and promote archaeological research, to organize archaeological exhibitions and exhibitions of contemporary art, to digitise cultural heritage, to exchange know-how in the protection of monuments and archaeological sites. The two countries will also cooperate within the framework of the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, as well as in the context of the development of cultural tourism. Greece and China will continue the exchange of theater productions, cooperate in the promotion and development of music production and continue the exchange of music productions.
On Tourism, the cooperation of the two countries will include the exchange of statistics, management, promotion of touristic destinations and certification of quality services, as well as the organization of familiarity trips for reporters, in order to promote emerging destinations. Greece and China will, also, explore the possibilities of organizing tourism events in order to bring local authorities and their respective travel and tourism associations closer together, and will work together to enhance awareness and capitalize on promotions such as shows, gastronomy seminars, festivals and other events to boost local products and integrate them into the touristic experience.