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Home » Feature » People

Greek consul general aims for stronger ties

By Yao Minji | January 15, 2016, Friday | Print Edition

In 1997, Vassilis Xiros’s father, serving at the Greek Defense Attaché in Albania amidst the country’s unrest, was the officer who coordinated the evacuation of about 1,500 Chinese nationals to Greece.

“I suppose it has become a family tradition to promote Greek-Chinese relations”, said the younger Xiros, who recently arrived in town as the new Consul General of Greece. “My father gave me the inspiration to become a diplomat in the first place.”

During a previous post of his in Seoul (2005-2009) and after that, Xiros made trips to China, in particular Beijing, Hong Kong and Zhejiang Province. Yet, when he arrived in Shanghai in late November, it was his first visit to the city.

To develop his understanding of the country and its people, Xiros has been studying the Chinese language, a subject he describes as difficult and intriguing at the same time. Helping sustain his studies is a deep interest in the country’s history and culture.

“Our cultures are different, but we are similar in the sense that Greece and China both have a long history and rich cultural heritage,” he noted, with obvious excitement.

“I am fond of culture in general — music, antiques, old buildings, traditions. I’m not focused on any specific area, because all of them are quite fantastically intriguing,” he continued. “I look forward to my explorations of Chinese culture in the next few years. I really feel China is inexhaustible.”

Cultural exchanges and events are also a major part of his plans for the new post as head of mission for Shanghai and its surrounding provinces. His plans also include promoting other aspects of the Sino-Greco relationship.

“I plan on increasing bilateral investment and trade, promoting educational and official contacts, organizing cultural events (and) promoting tourism,” he added.

“It is really hard to choose one being more significant over the others. I’m happy to find there is a small yet dynamic community of Greek businessmen in Shanghai, with whom I intend to coordinate closely. It is also my intention to reach out to the Chinese population under the Consulate’s jurisdiction more widely and effectively.”

He is confident that long-standing ties between China and Greece will also help facilitate business collaborations.

Chinese collaborations in Greece are particularly apparent in the shipping sector, with logistics and port giant China Cosco Holding Co being the only bidder to acquire 67 percent ownership of the Piraeus port. It has been asked to submit an improved offer, which will be examined most probably next week.

At the same time, Greek buyers have also accounted for the majority of order at Chinese shipyards over the past decade.

“The whole maritime cooperation between Greece and China — including ship-building, transports, port development — has a strategic character and plays an important role in our relations,” noted the consul general.

As Chinese investors look increasingly more to diversify their portfolios abroad, Xiros also sees a major opportunity to attract Chinese investment to Greece.

“We’ve been through a crisis, but the outlook for the country’s fiscal performance has improved and the investment environment is now stable and attractive,” he explained with confidence.

“I believe that Greece presents a great opportunity for Chinese investors nowadays.”

He is equally confident about increasing bilateral trade, as he believes Greek products to be attractive to Chinese customers.

According to the consul general, the main Greek exports to China are building materials (mostly marble), refined oil products, cotton and food. He also foresees rising demand for cosmetics, jewellery, pharmaceuticals and fine design products.

Bilateral trade was up 5.6 percent in 2014. Despite a contraction in the first half of 2015, Xiros believes full-year results, set for release soon, will maintain the upward trend.

Chinese tourism to Greece has also risen substantially over the years. The country is now a popular destination among young Chinese travelers. While picturesque locales like Santorini have already become magnets for travelers, Xiros hopes to promote the country’s other scenic and cultural attractions.

Q: What is the best and worst thing about being a diplomat?

A: The best thing is the opportunity to make the acquaintance of so many people and cultures — the worst part is the friends you have to leave behind every time you move.

Q: Which city, amongst the ones you’ve served in, has impressed you the most?

A: I’m quite confident it will be Shanghai!

Q: As a diplomat, you travel a lot. What is one item you can’t leave behind?

A: Usually it’s my bouzouki, a Greek folk string instrument.

Q: What is your motto for life?

A: I’ll borrow the words from the ancient Greek philosopher Solon: “I’m getting older while still learning.” Confucius also said something very similar.

Q: What is your favorite place in Shanghai?

A: I’ve been to a couple of traditional teahouses in the French Concession that really took me back in time. Other than that I feel it’s a city with a hundred different faces to discover, each one with its own charm. I really hope you ask me the same question two or three years from now!

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