Wang Yi was interviewed in writing by the Greek newspaper Izvestia: I believe that the two countries have the wisdom, ability and ability to develop bilateral relations without interference and independence

Source: Website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On October 27, 2021 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi was interviewed in writing by the Greek newspaper Izvestia during his visit to Greece. The full text is as follows:

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence and the centenary of the Communist Party of China. In such a year worth celebrating and commemorating, what is the significance of your visit to Greece for the future development of Greek-Chinese relations?

Greece is the birthplace of Western civilization, a developed country in Europe and an important country in Central and Eastern Europe, playing a unique role in international and regional affairs. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, bilateral pragmatic cooperation represented by the port of Piraeus has achieved important results, and the "Forum of Ancient Civilizations" jointly advocated by the two sides has made positive progress, making important contributions to promoting the stable development of China-EU relations and China-CEEC cooperation.

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Dendías, I am going to visit Greece and look forward to further consolidating political mutual trust, strengthening strategic communication and deepening pragmatic cooperation with the Greek side, so as to set an example for the international community of mutual respect and equal treatment for countries of different sizes, a model of solidarity and cooperation and mutual benefit and win-win results for countries of different systems, a model of exchanges and mutual learning among countries of different cultures, and a model of mutual learning and common development with countries of different cultures, so as to demonstrate to the international community the strong will of China and Greece to firmly develop a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Not long ago, the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics fire collection and handover ceremony was successfully held in Greece, and Beijing will become the world's first "city of two Olympics". How do you see the role of Olympic cooperation in promoting people-to-people exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations between Greece and China?

The Olympic Movement is the outstanding contribution of Greek civilization to modern civilization and the eternal glory of Greece, and its development is deeply engraved with the imprint of human civilization. The ancient Olympic Games, with the olive branch as the highest prize, represented mankind's deepest expectation and yearning for peace and friendship. The modern Olympic Games inherit this simple concept, strive to eliminate the barriers between different nationalities and different cultures, and have become an important part of world culture and a useful platform for the integration and mutual learning of various ethnic cultures.

A few days ago, with the strong support of the Greek government and people, the collection, transmission and handover ceremony of the flame of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics was successfully completed in Greece, making a good start for the successful and successful holding of the Winter Olympics. We are confident that together with the international community, we will host a "simple, safe and wonderful" Winter Olympics. Greek athletes are welcome to actively participate in the Beijing Winter Olympic Games and show the style of ice and snow athletes.

From the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing to the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Greece has actively supported Olympic cooperation between the two countries and jointly opposed the politicization of sports. Standing at the birthplace of the Olympic Games, I look forward to The cooperation between China and Greece, practicing the true Olympic spirit, and working together to promote world peace and development and civilization exchanges and mutual learning under the guidance of the slogan of the Beijing Winter Olympics "Together for the Future", and jointly meet a better tomorrow!

How can Greek-Chinese economic relations turn advantages into action? What new plans does China have for the construction of the port of Biraeus, and how can this project effectively enhance Greece's status as a logistics hub?

Greece is a traditional shipping power, China is a manufacturing power and a trading country, the two countries have similar development concepts, both support trade liberalization, and actively commit to building an open world economy. At the same time, there is neither historical entanglement nor strategic conflict between China and Greece, which also creates a good atmosphere for cooperation between the two sides.

As an outstanding achievement of Sino-Greek maritime cooperation, COSCO SHIPPING Piraeus Port Project has become a model for China-Greece and China-EU cooperation in jointly building the "Belt and Road". With the joint efforts of both sides, The Port of Belgium has developed rapidly into the largest port in the Mediterranean, creating more than 3,000 direct jobs for the local area and contributing more than 1.4 billion euros directly to society, making positive contributions to the economic development of Greece. Not long ago, the equity of the second phase of the Bigang project was successfully delivered, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent operation and development of bigang. China will accelerate the promotion of key projects such as the expansion of cruise terminals, focus on energy conservation and emission reduction and digital construction, continuously improve the status and operational capacity of the port, and build the port into a world-class port with both land and sea and diversified development. It is hoped that the two sides will sum up their successful experiences, promote more than Hong Kong to help the development of trade between China and Europe and the Balkans, and drive Chinese and Greek enterprises to expand new areas of cooperation to better benefit the people of the two countries.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, how does China view Greece's role in promoting stability and prosperity in the Balkans and eastern Mediterranean? What contribution can China make to easing relations between Greece and Turkey?

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a responsible major country, China has always been a force committed to peace and resolutely upholds the central role of the UN in international affairs and international fairness and justice. China has experienced war and chaos in its history and knows the value of peace. China has always advocated the settlement of international disputes and hotspots and difficult issues through peaceful means through dialogue and consultation. We also hope that all countries will proceed from the well-being of regional countries and the people of the world, strive to seek solutions that conform to the actual conditions of the region and take into account the interests of all parties, and jointly safeguard world peace and tranquility.

Greece is an important country in the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean region and plays an active role in maintaining regional stability, security and prosperity. Maintaining good relations between Greece and Turkey is conducive to regional peace and stability and conforms to the common interests of regional countries and the international community. We are pleased to see that greece and Turkey have recently expressed their willingness to settle the dispute through negotiations. China hopes that the two sides will firmly grasp the general direction of promoting regional peace, stability and development, resolve issues left over from history through dialogue and negotiation, resolve differences and jointly promote regional development and prosperity.

Greece is characterized by a shipping economy and pays attention to the development of global shipping safety affairs. Do you think the tripartite security partnership between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia will affect global shipping cooperation? Will the U.S. stance on China affect Greek-Chinese relations?

The recent establishment of the Trilateral Security Partnership (AUKUS) between the United States, Britain and Australia, and the plan to carry out nuclear submarine cooperation, will inevitably bring about the risk of nuclear proliferation, seriously undermine the construction of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Southeast Asia, and do not rule out the induction of a new round of arms race, which will cast a shadow on the peace, stability and development of the region.

People need to respect each other, everyone has their own freedom to make friends, will not interfere with other people's circle of friends, and do not allow others to interfere with their own circle of friends. The same is true of state-to-state interactions. Every country has the right to independently develop friendly relations. Interfering in and undermining the friendly relations of other countries is not only disrespectful to other countries, but also a typical hegemonic and bullying behavior. China and Greece are both ancient civilizations, and I believe that the two countries have the wisdom, ability and ability to develop bilateral relations independently and independently, and play a greater leading role in the unity and friendship of all countries in the world.