From, ECCRD  Aug.1,2019

In the afternoon of August 1, 2019, the president Amalia Matiatou of ECCRD and the first vice-chairman of The Greece & China Friendship Association, Mrs. Matiatou and her team met with Qiyue Zhang the ambassador of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Hellenic Republic. The ambassador Zhang kindly greeted Mrs. Matiatou and her team.

 “Mrs. Matiatou is an old friend of China. All the contributions she has been made for the development of China-Greece friendship are priceless.  It is a pleasure to see you are in such good health,” said ambassador Zhang.

I have loved China all my life, for the past 60 years, I have always conformed to Chairman Mao’s entrustment and strived for the China-Greece friendship, said Mrs. Matiatou. The Belt and Road Initiative (B&R) proposed by President Xi was a great idea. I will keep putting my efforts on it.

 The theme of the conference was in regards to the China-Greece Cultural Park project. Mrs. Matiatou stated that propelling the establishment and development of the cultural park is one of the biggest wishes of her life.

 The executive president of ECCRD, Wenchao Zhao attended the meeting.

Ambassador Zhang stated that this is a “tiptop” project. However, it must be recognized that the project is macro.It is expected to perfect the plan as soon as possible with the investors, seeking out a breakthrough, and implement every step in an orderly manner.

According to reports, Kaifeng delegations and the RCCRD had good communication during their visit to Greece. Fu said that we welcome the ECCRD and R&F to work together to discuss the project details with Kaifeng City and accelerate the progress of the project.

The project consists of three major sections and 16 sub-items, which are based on the development orientation of Kaifeng and Zhengzhou City. If the project entities are settled in Kaifeng City and Zhengzhou City respectively, it will help to form a benign interaction. It is a new method for further promoting the merging of Zhengzhou City and Kaifeng City, and it is of strategic significance to the “last mile” of the merging.

While the Chinese side is pushing the project forward, with the efficient operation of the Greek Prime Minister Mizo and the government cabinet, the Greek side has reinforced the boosting of the China-Greece Cultural Park project. The Enterprise Greece is fully cooperating with the ECCRD to boost the project. The Mizo Advisory Group also met with Zhao concerning the project. The Greek side believes that the project will be more effective in boosting bilateral cultural exchanges and economic cooperation.

Zhao reported to ambassador Zhang that this is going to be the first project in the world to establish the development process of Eastern and Western civilizationssystematically. The purpose is to show the development process of the harmonious intergrowth between the East and the West to the world.  The project was recorded in a memorandum on the eve of the opening of the first “Belt and Road” International Summit Forum in 2017, witnessed by the then-Prime Minister of Greece and the CPAFFC President Xiaolin Li. At this time, less than an hour after President Xi’s meeting with the Greek then-Prime Minister, the content of the project was highly consistent with the spirit of the talks between the leaders of China and Greece.

 The total investment of the project is 13 billion Euro.The main investor is the famous consortium R&F Group (R+F) from Hong Kong. The investment framework agreement with R&F has been signed on March 5, 2018. Hong Kong R&F group is a comprehensive urban operator with an international perspective. R&F is experienced with the construction of the cultural/travel industry, smart industry, and integrated logistics park. At the same time, R&F also owns the world’s largest five-star hotel. They have spread their investment layouts all over five continents.

  In June 2019, ECCRD and Zhengzhou the Jinshui District reached a consensus on the construction of some parts of the main project in the Jinshui District, including other districts in Zhengzhou have built a connection with ECCRD regarding the project. From July 28 to 31, 2019, Lei Fu, head of the delegation of the People’s Government of Kaifeng City and executive deputy mayor, led his entourage to visit Greece. Fu indicated that the construction of the Sino-Greek Cultural Park project is highly welcomed.

History:

Chairman Mrs. Matiatou is the main founder of the Greek-Chinese Friendship Association, an important pioneer and practitioner of the friendship between Greece and China. As early as 1956, Mrs. Matiatou and the famous Greek scientist, the Greek House of Representatives and Senator Nikos Kitsikis and his wife Mrs. Beata Kitsikis, the main leader of the Political Bureau of the Greek Communist Party, led the Greek parliamentary delegation visiting China through Moscow. Chairman Mao cordially met with Mr. Kitsikis, Mrs.Beata, Mrs.Matiatou, and their entourage. According to Chairman Mao’s Spirit of Conversation “putting more efforts on the friendship of China and Greece”, Mr. Kitsikis, Mrs.Beata, Mrs.Matiatou promoted the establishment of the Greek-Chinese Friendship Association in 1956. Mr. Kitsikis passed away in 1978, and his wife Beata passed away in 1986. The Chinese central government sent a message to commemorate the old friend of the Chinese Communist Party when B died. At present, Mrs. M is the only founder of the Greek-Chinese Friendship Association that is still enlivening and in good health

 The Greek-Chinese Friendship Association was one of the few organizations in the West that was friendly to China at that time and played a significant role in promoting the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Greece.