Hoisting the sails of China and Greece’s timeless wisdom

With peaceful development as our guide, let us sail together toward a common destiny for all humanity, and establish a world of lasting peace and prosperity.

Τhe sea, with its vast and inclusive spirit, embraces continents and unites the world. Turning to the sea as a lever for prosperity is a converging choice for both China and Greece, two cradles of civilization in the East and the West. The brilliant launch of the Posidonia 2026 Exhibition offers an important platform for knowledge exchange, mutual learning and strengthening cooperation in the field of the global maritime economy.

China and Greece are sincere friends and reliable partners, with their relationship governed by mutual respect, trust and mutual support. The successful cooperation in the Port of Piraeus is a typical example of mutual benefit, both for the two countries and for China-Europe cooperation under the “One Belt, One Road” Initiative. Within a decade, annual container handling skyrocketed from 680,000 to 5.6 million TEU, propelling port to 25th place in the world. Chinese investments, worth several billion euros, have created tens of thousands of jobs and significantly boosted public revenues, bringing tangible benefits to the Greek people.
At this critical juncture – the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and the 20th anniversary of the China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership – the two countries are called upon to draw wisdom from their ancient civilizations, seize the new opportunities created by China’s qualitative development, and further deepen their cooperation in the maritime economy, contributing to the building of a “community with a shared future for the sea.”
To this effect, we must:

• Jointly and consistently handle our cooperation in the Port of Piraeus, bolstering Greece’s role as a strategic logistics hub in the Eastern Mediterranean and a vital trade gateway between Europe and Asia;
• Promote the convergence and development of high value-added services in shipping, such as financing, insurance and arbitration, leveraging the comparative advantages of both sides;
• Accelerate the green transition of shipping, enhancing the implementation of clean energy solutions and the creation of international green maritime corridors;
• Explore the expansion and integration of the industrial and value chains in the shipbuilding and repair industry, developing new paradigms for mutually beneficial cooperation;
• Intensify joint research and the exchange of technological achievements in the areas of marine environment protection and  smart maritime governance.

In ancient Greek mythology, Poseidon controlled the seas and protected sailors. In today’s complex international environment, every country is in the same boat.

Only by unity, cooperation, and solidarity will we be able to overcome problems while maintaining peace and growth. Let us use the favorable breeze of this year’s Poseidonia to hoist the sails of China and Greece’s timeless wisdom, and with peaceful development as our guide, let us sail together toward a common destiny for all humanity, and establish a world of lasting peace and prosperity.