Joint Declaration on strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partership between the Hellenic Republic and the People’s Republic of China (Beijing, 5.7.2016)

On the invitation of the Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Li Keqiang, the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Alexis Tsipras, made an official visit to China from 2-6 July 2016.

1.    During the visit the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic held meetings with the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, the Premier Li Keqiang and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhang Dejiang.

2.    This year, 2016, further enhances the dynamically evolving, ten-year long standing comprehensive strategic partnership between Greece and China. Both sides, during the visit, reconfirmed the strategic cooperation between the two countries and underlined their will to deepen and reinforce this cooperation to the mutual benefit of both countries and peoples.

3.    The two sides underlined that the frank and mutually beneficial cooperation along with respect for each other constitute the solid foundation of their bilateral relation and reaffirmed their commitment to further develop their high level contacts and to intensify political consultations . They confirmed their will to deepen their strategic partnership on the basis of mutual interest, building upon their traditionally friendly relations.

4.     The two sides expressed their commitment to the UN Charter and their support for the peaceful settlement of disputes aiming to safeguard global peace, prosperity and development. The two sides declared their intention to strengthen their cooperation in the United Nations and other International Organizations, in order to address effectively global challenges and threats, in particular terrorism.

Greece and China pledge to maintain maritime order on the basis of international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the freedom of navigation and overflight enshrined in it. It is in the interest of both countries to maintain this order as well as the stability of the region. Both sides advocate that territorial disputes and issues relating to maritime rights and interests be resolved peacefully, in line with international law as well as regional and bilateral agreements. They welcome trust-building measures that help defuse tensions.

5.    Greece abides by the “One China Policy” and welcomes the progress of China in the economic and social sector as well as its contribution to the UN Peace Keeping Missions. China acknowledges the constructive role of Greece for the stability, security and prosperity in South Eastern Europe, in the Mediterranean and the Balkans.

6.    China appreciates the positive and constructive efforts and contribution of Greece in order to cope with the reception and accommodation of the refugees in the country, especially in the current context of long standing economic crisis.

7.    The two sides support a just, viable and sustainable solution of the Cyprus issue on the basis of relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

8.    The two sides deem necessary to intensify their bilateral cooperation in the economic and commercial sector; intensifying all efforts in order to balance trade deficit and encourage mutually beneficial investment activity. The Chinese side encourages its enterprises to import more, high quality standardized Greek products especially agricultural products, food products, wines, luxury products and maritime accessories. The two sides confirm that the Joint Ministerial Committee will be convened regularly, on a rotation basis, in Athens and Beijing and will plan and monitor progress of their bilateral economic co-operation.

9.    The connectivity platform between Europe and China establishes new, interesting opportunities for both sides, in the context of the joint development of the "One Belt one Road" project, for Maritime and Land Transportation as well as for the development of ports and services, upgrading not only regional infrastructures but also contributing to global trade.

The «2015 Year of Maritime Cooperation Greece-China» provided impetus to the already substantial cooperation in the Maritime and Transportation sector and confirms the dynamically evolving perspectives for further extending the Maritime Co-operation.

Both sides confirmed that COSCO’s investment in the port of Piraeus has been successful and mutually beneficial. In this context both countries explore further a substantial number of plans and projects for the upgrading of infrastructures and transport services as well as modernization of railway networks and the establishment of transit services for the safe and swift transportation of commercial goods, from and towards Europe. In this context, both sides shall promote their bilateral cooperation in creating synergies of enterprises from both sides, as well as in enhancing cooperation for the promotion of the Hellenic marine ship repairing industry, thus facilitating maritime transportation across the modern One Belt One Road.

The two sides also agreed to reinforce steadily their cooperation on tourism by promoting the Hellenic culture in China and by establishing direct air flight connections.

10.    The two countries, cradle of two ancient civilizations of the greatest importance for humanity’s history and culture, express their will to explore new fields in their already existing cooperation in the cultural sector, in order to promote mutual understanding and people-to-people contacts in the most constructive and fruitful manner.

The two sides agreed to intensify their co-operation in the fields of the protection of cultural property, archeology, scientific research and educational exchanges, with special focus on co-operation between Higher Education Institutions. In addition the two sides agreed on the existence of important perspectives for co-operation on film production.

11.      Both sides underline the importance of promoting the EU-China Strategic Partnership in a balanced and comprehensive way in order to promote the EU-China relationship, inter alia, by enhancing political dialogue and the EU-China 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation in its four areas: 1) Peace, 2) Growth 3) Reform, and 4) Civilization. China recognizes Greece’s unique role in promoting EU-China partnership. China reiterates its support of the EU integration process, praises the Greek Government’s efforts to revitalize the Greek economy and address the debt crisis. In this context, the two countries hold exchanges, for mutual benefit, and China welcomes the participation of Greece, as an observer, in the «16+1» co-operation.

Both sides expect a success of the 11th ASEM Summit and commit to support more cooperation on the ASEM Cooperation Center for Science and Development.

The G20 Summit organized by China, at Hangzhou, in September 2016, offers the opportunity to discuss global challenges with a view to promote internationally acceptable solutions.

Greece expresses its active support for the success of the Chinese Chairmanship of the G20 Summit in Hangzhou. Greece hopes that the Summit will obtain positive results, especially in promoting development through innovation, improving inter alia global economic and financial governance, boosting international trade and investment as well as promoting sustainable and balanced growth and development of the global economy.