On February 7 local time, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Greek President Karolos Papoulias in Sochi, Russia.

Xi Jinping praised Papoulias for his long-time efforts in actively promoting the development of China-Greece friendly relations. Xi Jinping said, China-Greece friendship is deeply rooted in the hearts of both peoples. The Chinese side highly values China-Greece relations, and is willing to join the efforts with the Greek side to promote the continuous in-depth development of China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership. The two sides should maintain high-level exchanges, mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core interests and of each other's major concerns, as well as close coordination and cooperation on major international and regional issues. The two sides need to expand cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, infrastructure construction, shipping, oil and gas, and maritime affairs. In particular, both sides should work together for the success of Piraeus Port Project in Greece, which is co-managed by the Chinese side, setting it as a good example while making it play a leading role in investment cooperation between the two countries. Both China and Greece are countries with ancient civilizations and with strong attraction to each other. The two sides need to strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation in tourism , learning each other through dialogues between the civilizations.

Xi Jinping expressed that Greece is one of the most reliable friends and cooperative partners of China in the European Union (EU). Greece holds the rotating presidency of EU in the first half of 2014. The Chinese side hopes that Greece would keep playing its unique role to make new contributions to promoting the development of China-EU relations.

Papoulias said that Greece-China cooperation has tremendous potential and with broad prospects. It is significant for Greece to develop comprehensive strategic partnership with China. As a sincere friend of the Chinese people, he will consistently spare no effort to promote the cooperation between the two countries as always. The Greek side welcomes China to promote cooperation in the fields of railway transportation, shipbuilding, maritime affairs through Piraeus Port in Greece, and to expand markets in the Balkans, South Europe and the whole European region. The Greek people are greatly interested in the Chinese culture. China is welcomed to set up the Chinese Culture Center in Greece as soon as possible. Both the EU and China are major powers to maintain world peace. Greece will continue to firmly support and promote the development of the EU-China relations.

Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu, Yang Jiechi and others were present at the meeting.