On the evening of November 10, 2019 local time, President Xi Jinping arrived at the Athens International Airport by a special plane, starting his state visit to the Hellenic Republic.

When Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan stepped out the cabin door, they were warmly greeted by Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias of Greece and other Greek senior officials at the gangway. The guard of honor lined along the red carpet, with eye salute.

On behalf of the Chinese government and Chinese people, Xi Jinping extended sincere greetings and best wishes to the Greek government and people. Xi Jinping pointed out, Greece embraces splendid culture with time-honored history, and has made outstanding contributions to the progress of human civilization. China and Greece shine for each other in their cultures, and the two countries also enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges. As countries with ancient civilizations, both China and Greece support communication and dialogues to promote harmonious coexistence among diverse civilizations. China and Greece have maintained a higher level of development in their relations in recent years by close high-level exchanges, constant deepening of political mutual trust, and fruitful cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative which is marked by the Piraeus Port project. The two countries have maintained close communication and coordination on major international and regional issues, contributing to world peace, stability, development, and prosperity.

Xi Jinping pointed out, both China and Greece are now at an important stage of respective development. It is of fundamental interests for the two countries and their people to deepen bilateral relations and expand practical cooperation. I look forward to having an in-depth exchange of views with President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotaki on furthering China-Greece relations under the new situation, so as to jointly map out the blueprint for future cooperation between the two countries and open up a new chapter in China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership.

Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and other delegation members arrived in Athens by the same plane.

H.E. Zhang Qiyue, Chinese Ambassador to Greece, also greeted President Xi Jinping at the airport.

After the state visit to Greece, Xi Jinping will also attend the 11th BRICS Summit to be held in Brazil.