China’s Prime Minister Li Keqiang will be arriving in Greece at midday on Thursday for an official three-day visit, which has the potential further developing Greek and Chinese financial ties. As such, the coalition government considers the visit to be strategically highly important.
The Chinese consider Prime Minister Antonis Samaras to be a reliable partner, citing his recent meeting with Hanergy Holding Group magnate Li Hejun in Athens, over the possibility of investments in the energy sector and the “mini DEI” in particular.
The Greek side expects to gain a lot from developing its strategic relation with China, which has the second largest economy after the USA. At present the Chinese investments in Greece amount to 4 billion euros, which could increase to 6 billion euros if plans go ahead.
The three days visit will give the Chinese envoy the opportunity to discuss the possibility of investments in Greece in a variety of sectors, such as airports, railways, road networks, maritime transport, tourism and elsewhere.
The port of Piraeus, where COSCO already has a significant presence, is turning into a hub of Chinese investor activities, as Huawei and ZTE want to use Greece as a transit hub for their products. This is evident by Chinese firms, such as Chine Development, investing in real estate. Aside from further increasing its presence in Piraeus, China is interested into expanding into regional ports and airports as well.
