Economy

China, Greece ink 13 deals

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-10-03 10:22

ATHENS - China and Greece clinched a series of deals on Oct 2, and agreed to further deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership as Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is paying his three-day official visit to Greece.

Wen held talks with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou after his arrival in Athens earlier Saturday.

The Greece visit, the first stop of Wen's four-nation tour, is the first by a Chinese premier in 24 years.

Wen and Papandreou attended the signing ceremony of 13 deals after their talks, which covered areas concerning cooperation in maritime transportation, loan, telecommunication, export and cultural exchanges.

The two countries also issued a joint statement on deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Premier Wen also announced a package of measures that China will take to help the sovereign debt-ridden European country.

"China will try its best to support the eurozone countries, and support Greece to overcome the financial crisis and realize economic recovery and healthy development of fiscal policy," Wen told reporters after the talks.

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Wen said China has bought and is now holding Greece's treasury bonds, and will continue to "take positive attitude to participate in the purchase of Greece's new treasury bonds."

He said China will also increase import from Greece.

"I believe that, after joint efforts, it is realizable for trade volume between the two countries to double and reach the goal of $8 billion," said Wen.

Wen said China will set up a special fund on China-Greece shipping cooperation, with the initial part of $5 billion, in a bid to promote cooperation on maritime transportation between the two countries.

"China encourages more competitive companies to invest in Greece," said Wen.

The four-nation visit, lasting till October 9, will also take Wen to Belgium, Italy and Turkey. Wen will also attend the 8th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and the 13th China-European Union (EU) summit in Brussels from October 4 to 6.