New horizons in Greek-Chinese relations: Prospects for the Eastern Mediterranean

Greece and China have initiated the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2006, which put Sino-Greek relations on a new basis and led to concrete, strategic steps by both countries. The handing off of the Olympic Games from Athens in 2004 to Beijing in 2008 gave an unprecedented opportunity to the countries to cooperate on a theme respected and valued by both the ancient character of their civilizations. China's economic growth and its intention to expand its economic influence beyond its borders led it to consider Greece a suitable gate to European markets. This was coupled with a more multidimensional foreign policy approach that had an emphasis on economic diplomacy and included helping Greece become a strategic hub in the wider region. The contractual framework between the two countries is constantly being enriched, and it includes cooperation agreements in the economic, trade, science, technology, social, and cultural sectors. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership provided, among other things, that, given the unique importance of shipping and shipbuilding in bilateral economic and trade relations, the two countries would encourage cooperation between their ports and shipping enterprises