SHANGHAI Party Secretary Han Zheng had a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who is also chairman of the ruling Syriza party, on Monday during his visit to Greece.

Han conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang’s greetings to Tsipras and said the two countries enjoyed growing relationship and fruitful cooperation in economy and trade. Their leaders made frequent exchange of visits.

This year is the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the Sino-Greek diplomatic relationship. China wants to strengthen cooperation with Greece within the framework of the Belt and Road initiative and develop comprehensive partnership, he said.

Han remarked that the Communist Party of China attaches great importance to its ties with Syriza and hopes to expand cooperation with the Greek ruling party.

Tsipras asked Han to convey his best wishes to Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang. He said Greece has made its ties with China a top priority and wants to participate in the Belt and Road initiative. His party wants to share experiences in public administration with the Communist Party of China.

Han led a CPC delegation to visit Greece from June 11 to 13, at the invitation of the Syriza party. They also met Nikos Voutsis, speaker of the Greek Parliament, and Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis.

Han witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between Shanghai and Athens, attended a concert celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Sino-Greek diplomatic relationship, and visited China COSCO’s project in Piraeus Port.