Greece seeks stronger ties with China as EU debt stand-off nears deadline
Faced with a stand-off over its bailout, Athens seeks further cooperation with Beijing in move seen as an effort to calm investor uncertainty
Greece remained locked in last-minute talks yesterday to reach a bailout compromise - soon after embattled Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras proposed stronger relations between China and Greece.
After days of sharp exchanges, the 19 euro-zone finance ministers met for the third time in a little over a week yesterday to consider a "take it or leave it" proposal by Athens that they extend an EU loan programme which expires this month.
Berlin has been insisting that Athens accepts continued austerity in return for fresh debt aid.
On Thursday, Tsipras appeared at a reception hosted by the 18th escort fleet of the PLA Navy at the port of Piraeus. He called for more cooperation with China and vowed to support its existing investments as well as shipping conglomerate Cosco's investment at Piraeus.
China's Cosco manages two cargo piers at Piraeus. Under a privatisation scheme last year, it had been shortlisted, along with four other suitors, as a potential buyer of a 67 per cent stake in the port.
"We will seek new ways of cooperation between the Greek state and the Chinese side," Tsipras said, adding there was even potential for the two nations to collaborate in fields including transport, railways, tourism and culture.
Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University of China, said: "Chinese investment faces uncertainty in Greece, and the Greek government is responding to Chinese concerns.