Attica and Shanghai Unite for Enhanced Educational and Cultural Cooperation

Attica Governor Nikos Hardalias and the Vice chancellor of the International Studies University of Shanghai Yi Yonggang. Photo source: Attica Region

The regional authority of Attica is set to strengthen its ties with China, as announced on Thursday, marking a significant step towards fostering deeper bilateral relations through collaborative educational and cultural initiatives.

This initiative comes in the wake of a meeting between Region of Attica Governor Nikos Hardalias and Yi Yonggang, the Vice Chancellor of the International Studies University of Shanghai, held in Athens. The discussions centered on fostering bilateral cultural exchanges, strengthening institutional collaborations among universities, and supporting the educational needs of Chinese students studying Greek.

Governor Hardalias noted that the meeting aligns with his initial visit last May to China, where he engaged with 30 students from the Hellenic Studies Department of the University of Shanghai. At that time, Hardalias attended the ITB China 2024 Expo.

Strategic plan for bilateral collaboration

Vice chancellor of the International Studies University of Shanghai Yi and Attica Governor Nikos Hardalias (center) withstudents of the Hellenic Studies Department. Photo source: Attica Region

“To us, Shanghai is a large metropolitan region, which – like Attica – serves as a gateway between East and West. Our first visit to China in May, as I had mentioned, was only the beginning,” Governor Hardalias said. “Today’s meeting demonstrates that it was not a one-time affair but part of a strategic plan for ongoing bilateral collaboration.”

With the announcement of the first educational trip for Chinese students to Attica scheduled for Spring 2025, both parties agreed to co-sign a Memorandum of Cooperation by the end of the year. The memorandum will focus on student exchanges and the joint organization of cultural and educational events.

Governor Hardalias expressed that the visiting Chinese students will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the region’s rich history, natural beauty, and Greek culture and heritage.

Invitation to University of Shanghai campus

Photo source: Attica Region

Vice Chancellor Yi Yonggang remarked on the Chinese admiration for ancient Greek civilization, encompassing its art, philosophy, architecture, and culture. He proposed to Governor Hardalias the hosting of joint cultural and educational events at the Shanghai University Campus, which accommodates over 100,000 students.

Yi was accompanied by the headmaster of the Confucius Institute, Feng Hui; the head of the Hellenic Studies Department of the School of European and Latin American Studies, Hu Jingjing; and the deputy director of the University’s Office of International Cooperation and Exchanges, Huang Yiwei.

“It is through culture that we are building our relationship with China. History and language are the foundations of the long-term, traditional friendship between our two peoples,” Governor Hardalias underlined. “The young people attending classes at the Department of Hellenic Studies are the worthiest ambassadors of Chinese-Greek relations.”

The meeting also saw participation from several officials of the Regional Authority of Attica, with Konstantinos Kavouras, the vice president of the Attica Regional Council, committed to advancing the region’s Memorandum of Cooperation with the University of Shanghai.