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Editor's note: The author is the President of the Hellenic-Chinese Business Chamber.

Having had decades-long relations with China and its people, it is my honor to offer today some thoughts on the occasion of China’s Two Sessions.

We are living globally in difficult times, difficult not only in terms of individual welfare but also of social relations and financial conditions. In Greece, we say that “you measure your friends in difficult times” and nothing could be truer than in the present context. The pandemic issue gave us the opportunity to appreciate once more the ties we Greeks have to the Chinese people and Chinese government. They are long-standing relations through years past and years to come.

As China is moving towards the 2020 Two Sessions meeting in the middle of the international pandemic, we wish the Chinese people and officials keep strong and calm as only Chinese can be, and to plan a great future for China. 

A lot has changed in China and Greece since the early 90s. My personal experience is that despite the distance that separates us, our cultures are stronger and bring us closer. My dream is to see more comparative cultural events to enhance the similarities rather than the differences-- in food, dance, music, theater, costume or philosophy.

Greece has already shown an interest in the “Belt and Road” project, but has not shown yet its full dynamic. Our country is the entry point of the Belt and Road in Europe, and has a key role to play. I am positive that in the years to come this role will be specified and developed as it should.

It is true that bilateral trade is better today. However, it has not achieved its full dynamic. I believe that the future of Sino-Hellenic business relations lies in fields such as e-commerce, technology, patents, AI, thematic tourism, design and culture. In those fields, joint projects may hit the top of our potential