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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has welcomed his visiting Greek counterpart, Alexis Tsipras in Beijing. Premier Li calls for further bilateral cooperation in trade, culture, education and tourism. Tsipras says he hopes the Piraeus Port could provide more opportunities for cooperation in finance and innovation.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L, front) holds a welcoming ceremony for visiting Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (R, front) before their talks in Beijing, capital of China, July 4, 2016. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

A 19 gun military salute was given to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who is in Beijing for a 5-day visit at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

Li said China and Greece enjoy a profound traditional friendship and their pragmatic cooperation has developed rapidly. He said approval of a concession agreement with China's COSCO Shipping for the acquisition of a majority stake in Piraeus Port Authority signifies the strong ties. He said China would like to work with Greece to shape Piraeus Port into a world-class port and logistics center in the Mediterranean Sea.

Li also said China firmly supports the European integration process and has always believed that a prosperous and stable European Union is beneficial to all member states. The premier said China hopes that Greece would make more positive contributions to China-EU relations.

Tsipras said China has proven to be Greece's true friend, like in the old saying "a friend in need is a friend indeed". He said Greece and China will enjoy promising cooperation in the future as both enjoy similar development strategies. He said the two sides should take the opportunity of the Piraeus Port project to enhance cooperation in more fields, such as shipbuilding, finance, technology and innovation.

After the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a number of agreements in such sectors as finance, trade, technology and tourism. The two sides also issued a joint statement.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (3rd L) holds talks with visiting Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (3rd R) in Beijing, capital of China, July 4, 2016. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) shakes hands with visiting Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras during a welcoming ceremony for Tsipras before their talks in Beijing, capital of China, July 4, 2016. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)