Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will travel to Athens with the aim of seeking investment opportunities in Greece’s privatization program. Mr. Keqiang, accompanied by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and a large governmental delegation, is expected to arrive in Athens on June 19 and to remain in Greece until June 21.

The goal of the Greek government and the Greek Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras, is to ensure a stronger Chinese participation in Greece’s privatization program and to promote further development on the cooperation between their countries. China has already expressed interest in the port of Thessaloniki and in the sale of the 67% stake in Piraeus Port Authority (PPA).

During their talks with their Chinese counterparts, Government officials argue that the successful example of COSCO’s investment in Piraeus could be the basis for further cooperation in the investment field, as Greece – due to its strategic location in Southeast Europe and its proximity to the Suez Canal – has every potential to become the main gateway of Chinese products and investment funds in the European Union.

The Chinese have also expressed interest in Athens International Airport. More specifically, the Chinese consortium comprising Friedmann Pacific Asset Management (FPAM) and Shenzhen Airport has announced its intend to acquire the majority stake in AIA, wishing to create a gateway to Europe from Asia.