On August 28, 2018, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee Yang Jiechi met in Beijing with Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias of Greece.

Congratulating Nikos Kotzias on the positive outcomes from his visit to China, Yang Jiechi expressed that under the new situation, both sides should deepen political mutual trust, advance practical cooperation, intensify people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and strengthen cooperation in international and regional affairs. Both sides should take the signing of the memorandum of understanding on cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative as an opportunity to elevate bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to new stages, and make joint and new contributions to the building of a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation as well as the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Nikos Kotzias noted that Greece, as an old friend of China, expects to develop closer relations with China and push forward cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative for new outcomes. The Greek side stands ready to strengthen cooperation in international and regional affairs with the Chinese side, in a bid to serve as a bridge in promoting the European Union-China friendship.