According to tovima.gr, Samaras is going to negotiate deals with representatives of top Chinese firms such as Cosco, China Development

Bank, the national railway and telecommunications companies. These deals involve the exchange of technical know-how in networking and infrastructures.

Speaking at the Beijing Academy of Arts, Samaras stated that “Greece is China’s natural gate to Europe” and that “I would not be here if Greece hadn’t changed its course”. The PM explained to Chinese students that the austerity measures were necessary since the debt had increased in excess and that the Greece’s main problem is unemployment. He expressed his hopes in tourism and the estimated 17 million tourists to help rejuvenate the economy.

In his speech Samaras emphasized the importance of developing long-term strategic ties between Greece and China. The two countries have a shared notion of history, noted Samaras, adding that he would like China and Greece to have a common future. He added that there was ground for collaboration in the fields of infrastructure and tourism, among others, Kathimerini informs.

While speaking on state Chinese television network, the Premier spoke of the two countries having marked history “in eons and millennia, when others count their history in decades” and highlighted the global importance of historical Greek and Chinese figures such as Confucius and Plato.

According to AMNA, Chinese companies desire involvement in Greece’s infrastructure sector, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said yesterday after talks with Antonis Samaras. The two premiers discussed all aspects of Greek-Chinese relations during their meeting, especially economic cooperation and long-range strategic plans.

Following their talks, a number of agreements and protocols were signed by the Greek side and the Chinese government.

“We are global shipping powers and we can cooperate in many areas. Since 2010 there has been heightened cooperation, while Chinese companies desire to become active in the infrastructure sectors. We will take action to boost commercial transactions, with the target of increasing the volume of transactions to EUR 8 billion in 2015,” the Chinese premier said during a dinner for the Greek mission.

Referring to geopolitical issues, Li noted that China is Greece’s ally in the Cyprus issue and asked for Athens’ help in improving China’s relations with the European Union, especially in light of Greece’s upcoming stint in the EU presidency in the first half of 2014.

He also asked Athens to reduce bureaucracy and simplify the process for issuing visas. Responding, Samaras noted that the new investment law made provision for fast-track procedures that will make Chinese investment easier, adding that the Greek government “is here to look at everything, step by step, and facilitate our cooperation.”

Specifically, they discussed expanding the activity of the Chinese container company Cosco at the main port of Greece, Piraeus, and the possibility of Chinese investment in Greek railroads and regional airports and ports.

Greek Premier welcomed the agreement and said that Piraeus is becoming the “key” transit hub for Europe. “The deal will create jobs”, he added, according to AMNA.

Samaras said: “We give the right to support entrepreneurship in these difficult times, as we must have new jobs,” welcoming the signing of the agreement between the two international companies and saying that such investments provide a new momentum and establish Piraeus on the international map. “Such investments help our country and deal with unemployment, which remains a priority. There are no magic solutions,” he continued, noting that similar actions will soon follow, which will lead the country out of the crisis, protothema.gr writes.

A day before the deal, a key connection of the local railway network to Piraeus port was inaugurated, in an effort to turn the port into a major transit hub for the Mediterranean Sea and Eastern Europe, Capital.gr writes.

“This day is very important as Greek railways and the port of Piraeus enter a new era, the era of intermodal transports,” said Development minister Kostis Hatzidakis.

The inauguration of this commercial rail line will boost Greece’s competitiveness and create more jobs, Greek Shipping Minister Kostas Mousouroulis said.