Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis’ visit to Shanghai and Beijing, from 8 to 13 May 2007, coincides with the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Hellenic Republic and the People’s Republic of China. Ms. Bakoyannis will be accompanied in her visit by Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Evripidis Stylianidis and a large business delegation. This visit to China is being held at a particularly important time, as the Hellenic Cultural Year will be held in China in 2008, which is also the year of the Beijing Olympic Games.

The events celebrating this anniversary will be kicked off with a major concert of Ms. Alkistis Protopsalti, at the Concert Hall of the Forbidden City, in the presence of Foreign Minister Ms. D. Bakoyannis. The Foreign Minister gave a press conference on Monday, 7 May, at 13:30, at the G. Seferis Hall (Akadimias 1) of the Foreign Ministry, marking the celebration of 35 years of Greek-Chinese diplomatic relations.

Greek-Chinese relations are excellent in many sectors, such as the political sector, and also with regard to the cooperation of two countries within the framework of the UN Security Council, China’s stance on the Cyprus issue and Greece’s support for the principle of “One China” in the economic sector. The volume of our bilateral trade with China in 2006 rose by 10.2% compared to 2005. Prime Minister Mr. Kostas Karamanlis carried out a visit to China in January 2006, accompanied by the then Foreign Minister Mr. Petros Molyviatis and a group of Ministers. This visit initiated further strengthening of relations on all levels, and particularly in the economic sector.

The Foreign Minister’s visit will begin in Shanghai, where, among other things, Ms. Bakoyannis will attend the proceedings of a Sino-Hellenic business conference and meet with the Mayor of Shanghai, Mr. Han Zheng. In Beijing, where she will be the following four days, Ms. Bakoyannis will, inter alia, have meetings with her Chinese counterpart, Mr. Yang Jiechi, with whom she will sign a Cooperation Protocol between the two Ministries. This will be followed by a meeting with the Prime Minister of the country, Mr. Wen Jiabao, and the President of the Organizing Committee for the Beijing Olympic Games, Mr. Liu Qui. And finally, she will have a meeting with the State Councillor for culture and educational relations, Ms. Chen Zhili. Ms. Bakoyannis will also address a special event being hosted by Beijing University and will visit the Olympic facilities. She will also participate in a number of business activities. In Beijing, the Foreign Minister will attend the special concert of Ms. Alkistis Protopsalti being held at the Concert Hall of the Forbidden City on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of Greek-Chinese diplomatic relations.

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