Greece and China Put Culture High on Agenda of Talks

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Greece Xiao Junzheng with Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni. Photo source: Culture Ministry.

Ways for Greece and China to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and deepen engagements in the field of culture were discussed during a recent meeting in Athens between Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni and the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Greece Xiao Junzheng.

The meeting mainly focused on an overview of the current cultural relations between Greece and China.

“The cultural collaboration between Greece and China is an important part of the broader strategic cooperation between our two countries,” Mendoni said.

On his part, Xiao invited Mendoni to visit Beijing next October, following her meeting with Chinese Culture and Tourism Minister Hu Heping last April in Greece.

Chinese Culture and Tourism Minister Hu Heping with Culture Minister Lina Mendoni last April in Greece. Photo source: Ministry of Culture.

According to the Culture Ministry, as the Greece-China Year of Culture and Tourism draws to a close, the Chinese Embassy in Athens is planning to hold an exhibition of traditional Chinese art at the Zappeion in early autumn. To be held under the auspices of the culture ministry, the exhibition will use cutting edge technology and be the closing event of the Greece-China Year of Culture and Tourism.

During the meeting, the two officials discussed the creation of a Chinese School of Archaeology in Athens which, in accordance with archaeological legislation, would enable the development of joint archaeological programs between the two countries.

Furthermore, Mendoni updated Xiao on the construction of the Museum of Underwater Antiquities that is expected to wrap up by the end of 2025.