Leaders of China, Greece Exchange Greetings on Anniversary of Relations

Chinese President Jiang Zemin and his Greek counterpart, Constantinos Stephanopoulos, exchanged greetings on Wednesday on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In his congratulatory message, Jiang said that thanks to the efforts of both sides, friendly cooperation between China and Greece in various fields has been growing steadily and friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples have been deepening since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries 30 years ago.

Jiang said China and Greece, both with ancient civilizations, hold similar views on a broad range of major issues such as the maintenance of world peace and the promotion of common development.

To enhance mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Greece, the Chinese president added, not only conforms to the wishes and fundamental interests of the two peoples, but is also conducive to world peace and development.

For his part, Stephanopoulos extended to Jiang his "warmest wishes for the further strengthening and broadening of the relations between our two countries as well as for the progress and prosperity of the friendly people of the People's Republic of China."

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and Greek Foreign Minister Georgios Papandreou also exchanged greetings on the occasion.

(Xinhua News Agency June 6, 2002)