Premier Li Keqiang responds to journalists' queries in a news briefing in Beijing. (Photo : Reuters)
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has pledged to work with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to transform Piraeus into a premier port in the Mediterranean, after the signing of the landmark concession deal, China Daily reported.
Tsipras made his official visit to China after China COSCO Shipping Corp. was given approval by the Greek Parliament on June 30 to purchase a major stake in the Piraeus Port Authority (PPA).
COSCO signed an agreement in April, acquiring a 67-percent stake in the PPA.
During their meeting at the Great Hall of the People, Li took off his tie as a gesture of support to Tsipras, who swore not to wear a tie until Greece has emerged from its debt crisis.
"We are willing to make efforts with Greece to forge the Piraeus Port into a top-level port and logistics center in the Mediterranean, and make it a major gateway on the China-Europe Land-Sea Express Route and Asia-Europe interconnection," Li said.
A transport highway is being constructed that begins in Hungary and runs through Serbia and Macedonia, and ends in Piraeus, the southern end of the China-Europe land-sea route, which is expected to facilitate the delivery of goods between China and Europe.
A 35-year deal was secured by China COSCO in 2008, which enabled the Chinese company to operate the two container terminals in the port.
"We firmly support the integration of Europe and have always believed that a prosperous and stable European Union is in the interests of all sides," Li said, noting that China has "paid great attention to changes in the situation in Europe."
Tsipras said that the deal's approval would result in greater cooperation in trade as well as tourism, culture, shipping and new technologies.
Aside from the agreement confirming the transfer date for the port's operation, nine other cooperation agreements were signed between the two countries.
The Greek prime minister's five-day visit started on Saturday, July 2. He is also scheduled to go to Shanghai.
