The first direct Air China flight linking Athens with Beijing was carried out on Saturday. Delegations from Greece and China welcomed the Air China crew at the Athens International Airport Elefhterios Venizelos.
Infrastructures and Transport Minister Christos Spirtzis and the Chinese Ambassador to Greece Zou Xiaoli attended an event held after the landing and underlined the importance of the direct link between the two countries for tourism, trade and culture.
In his address Spirtzis welcomed to Greece the 205 passengers of the flight noting that "today a dream becomes reality. The direct link between the two countries marks a new period for the relation of the two countries with obvious positive repercussions in the communication between the Chinese and the Greek people".
This development "is part of our national strategy" said Spirtzis and noted the prospect of boosting the Greece's link with Australia and the Far East through Air China's network.
On his part, Zou Xiaoli said that "this day is a landmark in the history of the Greek-Chinese relations". The new airlink Beijing-Athens will open new prospects for the bilateral relations in trade, culture, tourism, civil aviation and in other sectors. We are looking forward for closer and more substantial relation between the two countries and more benefits for our people".
Source: amna.gr