Chinas Wen vows to boost co-op with Greece

ATHENS: Premier Wen Jiabao said he expected China's ties with Greece would be expanded in all areas as he arrived in Athens on Saturday for a two-day visit to the crisis-hit country.

Greece needs foreign investment to help it fulfill the terms of a 110 billion euro ($150 billion) bailout. This rescued it from bankruptcy in May but also imposed strict austerity measures, deepening its recession.

"I am convinced that with my visit to Greece our bilateral relations and cooperation in all spheres will be further developed," Wen told Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou.

Greece and China will pledge to stimulate investment in a memorandum of understanding and private companies will sign a dozen deals in areas like shipping, construction and tourism, an official close to Investment Minister Harris Pamboukis said.

"Our two countries, both historical and modern, have to strengthen our relations in all sectors, to move on and overcome present difficulties," said Wen, speaking through an interpreter in televised comments.
Chinas Wen vows to boost co-op with Greece