Greek- Chinese trade relations希腊与中国的贸易关系

⬆ Greece is open to Chinese investments, in transportation, energy, tourism, infrastructure, green and digital economy

Greece and China have a dynamic trade relationship that has continued to expand in recent years. Greece, the world’s leader in shipping, and China, the world’s largest exporter, are both deeply committed to free and open international trade, which forms the foundation of the fruitful partnership between the two countries.

Worldwide, as consumers are becoming more and more health-conscious, Greek food exports are growing. The current trend echoes a timeless tradition that both our ancient civilizations share: Greek and Chinese wisdom agree that food and health are closely intertwined.  Hippocrates, the Greek father of western medicine, said: “Let food be your medicine and medicine your food.” A Chinese proverb expresses a similar idea: “He who takes medicine and neglects diet, wastes the skill of the physician.” The natural and wholesome food products of Greece, where the words of Hippocrates still hold sway, play an important role in the daily lives and longevity of Greeks, as well as in the success of the country’s food exports. From Asia to Europe, increasingly sophisticated consumers are shifting to healthier diets and seeking out quality products from trusted producers. Even when the global coronavirus crisis inhibited international trade, Greek food exports continued growing to meet those demands.

While Greek exports to China continue growing, the presence of China in Greece continues to grow as well. The Port of Piraeus has been developed, through investment by China’s Cosco into the busiest container port in the Mediterranean and one of the top five container ports in Europe. But Chinese investment in Greece has expanded into several other sectors, such as property, energy, and technology. Two areas that hold potential for future cooperation are life sciences and technology.

The pandemic has put a spotlight on the life sciences sector. Investment in Greek pharmaceutical production tripled, largely because Greece is a leading exporter of pharmaceuticals in Southeast Europe and beyond. The strength of the Greek life sciences sector is driven both by a long tradition in medicine and the large number of high-calibre STEM graduates available in Greece. As populations age across much of the world, this sector is bound to gain in importance for both our economies.

Technology is another field where the highly skilled Greek workforce, as well as a maturing start-up ecosystem, is driving growth. Greece’s ambitious Green Deal and commitment to environmentally sound and sustainable development are providing further incentives for innovative tech solutions. And Greek companies are providing those solutions, ranging from ‘Smart Ship’ systems to waste management systems and health care apps.

In terms of the sectors of interest, according to the extension of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Greek Government and the National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NDRC) for the years 2020-2022, it was agreed to extend the investment cooperation between the two countries in the fields of manufacturing, research and development, information and communication technologies, financial services, transport and infrastructure and energy.

 
⬆ Chinese companies, such as China’s State Grid Corporation or China Gezhouba Group International Engineering Co. Ltd. and Zhejiang Supcon Solar Technology Co. Ltd., are already involved in energy projects in Greece

The most important investments in Greece made by Chinese companies, as recorded and/or reported in the Press and official Press Releases are as follows:

1. The COSCO investment in the Port of Piraeus.
· Initial investment with concession for Piers ΙΙ and ΙΙΙ, for 30+5+5 years.
· New investment amounting to €230 million in 2015 for the extension of Pier ΙΙΙ.
· Acquisition of 67% of Piraeus Port Authority (OLP) in April 2016, for €368.5 million, with the total (agreement) value amounting to €1.5 billion.
COSCO is said to have proceeded to the expansion of its activities in Alexandroupoli by renting the relevant spaces at the Piraeus Port Authority.

2. The Chinese company Fosun participates in the fund to be financed by the Project of Lamda Development at the former airport of Hellinikon. At the same time, it looks into the Greek market for other interesting projects in the sector of real estate as well as insurance.

3. The Chinese company ΖΤΕ – one of the five biggest telecommunication companies in the world – has established a transit center at Piraeus for its products.

4. A pilot distribution center by Huawei in Piraeus. In December 2013, the pilot operation of Huawei’s distribution center started, within the Containers Station at the Port of Piraeus.

5. Hanergy: In 2012, the company made an official announcement for investments amounting to €1.8 billion in the Greek PV sector until 2016, for the construction and operation of facilities with a total capacity of 1000 MW. Establishment of offices in Greece. Cooperation with Enolia, Prenecon, Copelouzos Group and Solar Cells Group.

6. CECEP-China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group: Development of small photovoltaic projects < 1ΜW in 11 areas all over Greece, with a total capacity of 30 MW, through a Joint Venture between New Era Holding (CECEP subsidiary) and another Chinese company, Sky Solar, with funding support by China Development Bank.

7. MESOGEIOS S.A. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Chinese company Sky Solar Holdings Co Ltd, in order to sell photovoltaic systems amounting to €33 million, without mentioning where the actual park will be constructed.

8. 19 agreements for investments and cooperation amounting to $6.4 billion between Greek and Chinese bodies and companies, signed at the Greek-Chinese Forum in June 2014, and involving the sectors of shipping, infrastructure, export trade, financial services and funding of naval engineering programs by Chinese banks. There are huge multiplying effects from the investment prospects that the Chinese capital brings along for the development of specific sectors, with substantial opportunities for development.

9. The PPC S.A. Group (Public Power Corporation) and the Chinese company  Sinovel Wind Energy Group Co Ltd, the 2nd biggest wind turbine construction company in the world, announced in April 2011 the signing of a Strategic Cooperation Agreement for the development of wind farms and the construction of a wind turbine construction plant in Greece.

10. Chinese State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC): transfer of 24% of HEDNO (Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator) shares.

11. Shenhua Group: agreement with the Greek business group Copelouzos Group amounting to €3 billion, in the energy sector, by acquiring 75% of the shares in four wind farms developed by Copelouzos Group. Shenhua, which signed an agreement, through its subsidiary, Shenhua Renewable Co. Ltd., involved in renewable energy sources, is the first Chinese company investing in wind energy in Greece.

12. ΖΤΕ: an agreement with FORTHNet, with the support of the Chinese companies Shanghai Gongbao Business Consulting and KaiXinRong Group, involving the development of a fiber optics network, amounting to €500 million.

13. Forthnet signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China International Television Corporation (CITVC), in order to examine the possibility of developing joint activities between the two companies.

14. The Chinese company Profex Inc. (“Profex”), involved in the distribution of skin cosmetics in China, and Morgan Stanley agreed to acquire a majority package in Korres S.A. The new shareholders’’ investment in cash for acquiring the majority package is estimated at €48.5 million.

15. The Bank of China has recently opened a branch in Greece, in order to fund investments in green economy and energy.

Also to be noted, is the funding of Greek shipping companies provided by Chinese banks. According to a study carried out by the Institute of International Economic Relations (IDOS), the Chinese bank’s China Development Bank, EXIM Bank and ICBC have provided over $2 billion to Greek shipping companies between 2009 and 2017. At the same time, the China Development Bank has been doing business in Greece since 2010, participating in the funding of Cosco’s investments in Piraeus.

Many Chinese-interest companies have expressed recently interest in investing in Greece. Some of them, according to open sources, include:

– Friedman Pacific Asset Management Ltd and Shenshen Airport (Group) Co. Ltd. for the Athens International Airport
– China State Construction Engineering Corporation
– China Aluminium International Engineering: interest in the upgrading and expansion of aluminum production plants
– Fujian Shipbuilding Corporation: cooperation with Greek shipyards
– New Hope Group: food and agricultural products
– ΗΝΑ: interest in air companies, airports, and hotels
– WANDA: investments in real estate
– ICBC: interest in establishing a branch in Greece
– CDB: interest in establishing a branch in Greece
– SAC: interest in cooperating with the Hellenic Organization for Standardization (ELOT), certification of exportable products

At the same time, China Power International New Energy Holding Ltd has shown interest in a cooperation in the energy sector and plans to establish offices in Greece; China Electrical Power Equipment and Technology Co. Ltd. (CET) has expressed interest in infrastructure projects involving networks, while the Chinese company CMEC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PPC for the construction of a second lignite plant in Florina.

Another important agreement is considered the exclusive cooperation agreement signed between the Chinese company CQM (China Quality Mark Certification Group) and ΕVETAM S.A. (Société Anonyme involved in Research, Technological Development and Laboratory Tests, Certification and Quality).

Finally,  it should be mentioned  that the significant expansion of the Chinese direct foreign investments in other countries has affected many international companies that proceed to investments in our country or exhibit similar interest, since Chinese companies participate in them with significant funds.

The most important investments from Greece to China, according to the FDI Markets database and relevant Press articles are as follows:

1. 2001: SHANGHAI HiTeC PLASTICS, a Joint Venture between PLASTIKA KRITIS and a Chinese state company, involving a €10 million share capital investment, 72% of which is contributed by PLASTIKA KRITIS, which retains the management of the Joint Venture. Recently, the company has built a second production plant to produce masterbatches, an investment of €40 million.

2. 2012: Thrace Plastics established the company “Thrace China” to serve the distribution of the Thrace Group’s products in China.

3. 2013: Kleemann Hellas made a $2.62 million investment in the city Kunshan (Jiangsu) in China, in the sector of Industrial Machinery, Equipment & Tools, involving a Manufacturing Project. The investment is implemented to help the company penetrate in the markets of China, South-Eastern Asia and Oceania. The company has made an investment in the city of Shanghai (Shanghai Municipality) in China, in the sector of Industrial Machinery, Equipment & Tools, with an investment plan involving Sales, Marketing and Support.

4. 2019: Establishment and operation of 24 Cocomat stores in China, for the distribution of its products.

5. Euroterra Capital, a multinational company involved in real estate investments and development, founded by the Therianos family, has been doing business in 4 cities in China.

希腊和中国的贸易关系充满活力，而且近年来还在不断扩大。希腊是世界航运业的领先者，中国是世界上最大的出口国，两国都坚定地致力于自由开放的国际贸易，这是两国富有成果的伙伴关系的基础。

在全球范围内，随着消费者越来越注重健康，希腊的食品出口正在增长。当前的趋势呼应了我们两个文明古国的一个永恒传统：希腊和中国的智慧都认为食物和健康密切相关。希腊的西医之父希波克拉底曾说过：“让食物成为你的药，让药成为你的食物。”中国有句谚语也表达了类似的观点：“吃药不忌口，枉费医生手”。希波克拉底的话至今在希腊仍然有着重大影响，而且希腊天然和健康的食品在希腊人的日常生活和长寿方面以及希腊食品出口取得的成功中都发挥着重要作用。从亚洲到欧洲，越来越多精明的消费者都开始注重更健康的饮食，并从值得信赖的生产商那里寻求优质产品。虽然全球冠状病毒疫情抑制了国际贸易，但希腊食品的出口仍在继续增长，满足那些消费者的需求。

在希腊对中国出口持续增长的同时，中国在希腊的影响力也在持续增长。比雷埃夫斯港是通过中国中远集团公司的投资发展起来的，它是地中海地区最繁忙的集装箱港口，也是欧洲五大集装箱港口之一。不过，中国在希腊的投资已经扩展到一些其他领域，比如房地产、能源和科技。生命科学和技术是未来合作的两个潜在领域。

这次的新冠疫情使生命科学领域备受关注。对希腊药品生产的投资增加了两倍，这主要是因为希腊是东南欧及更大区域领先的药品出口国。希腊生命科学领域的实力源自其悠久的医学传统和希腊所拥有的大量高素质的从科学、技术、工程和数学专业毕业的毕业生。随着世界大部分地区人口的老龄化，这一领域必将对我们两国的经济产生越来越重要的影响。

技术是希腊高技能劳动力以及成熟的创业生态系统助推发展的另一个领域。希腊雄心勃勃的绿色协议和对环境友好且可持续发展的承诺为创新技术解决方案提供了进一步的激励。希腊公司正在提供的这些解决方案包罗万象，有“智能船舶”系统、废物管理系统和医疗保健应用程序。

就利益相关领域而言，根据希腊政府与中华人民共和国国家发展和改革委员会（NDRC）签署的《关于重点领域2020-2022年合作备忘录》，双方同意将两国的投资合作扩大到制造业、研发、信息和通信技术、金融服务、运输、基础设施和能源等领域。

 
⬆ 过去的 15 年里，希腊船业公司在中国造船厂建造了1000 多艘船只

根据官方新闻稿的报道，中国公司在希腊最重要的投资有：

1. 中远集团对比雷埃夫斯港的投资。
·码头和码头特许权的初始投资，为期（30+5+5）年。
·2015年，用于码头扩建的2.3亿欧元的新投资。
·2016年4月，以3.685亿欧元收购比雷埃夫斯港务局（OLP）67%的股份，协议总价值达到15亿欧元。
据说，中远集团通过租用与比雷埃夫斯港务局有关的空间，扩大了其在亚历山德鲁波利斯的业务活动。
2.中国复星公司参入了为位于前海利尼肯机场的Lamda开发项目提供资金的基金。与此同时，该公司还在希腊市场的房地产和保险业寻找其他感兴趣的项目。
3.中兴通讯股份有限公司——世界五大电信公司之一——在比雷埃夫斯建立了产品中转中心。
4.华为在比雷埃夫斯建立了试点配送中心。2013年12月，华为配送中心在比雷埃夫斯港集装箱站开始试运行。
5. 汉能：2012年，该公司正式宣布在2016年之前在希腊光伏行业投资18亿欧元，用于建设和运营总容量为1000兆瓦的设施。它在希腊设立了办事处，并开始与Enolia、Prenecon、Copelouzos Group和Solar Cells Group合作。
6. 中国节能环保集团公司：在中国国家开发银行的资金支持下，新时代控股（中国节能环保集团控股的子公司）与另一家中国公司天华阳光控股有限公司成立了合资企业，在希腊全国11个地区开发小于1兆瓦的小型光伏项目，总容量为30 兆瓦。
7.希腊MESOGEIOS S.A公司与中国的天华阳光控股有限公司签署了谅解备忘录，目的是销售价值3300万欧元的光伏系统，产业园的地点尚未透露。
8. 2014年6月，希腊与中国的机构和公司在希腊-中国论坛上签署了19项投资和合作协议，金额达64亿美元。它们涉及航运、基础设施、出口贸易、金融服务和中国银行资助海军工程项目等领域。中国资本对特定行业的发展产生了巨大的倍增效应，并且仍具有大量的发展机遇。
9. 2011年4月，PPC S.A.集团（公共电力公司）和中国华锐风电集团有限公司（世界第二大风力涡轮机生产公司）宣布签署一项战略合作协议，共同在希腊开发风电场并建设一个风力涡轮机生产厂。
10. 中国国家电网公司（SGCC）：接受希腊配电网运营商HEDNO转让的24%的股份。
11. 神华集团：在能源领域，它与希腊商业集团Copelouzos Group签署了价值30亿欧元的协议，收购了Copelouzos Group开发的四个风电场75%的股份。神华还通过其子公司神华可再生能源有限公司签署了一项协议，涉及可再生能源，它是第一家在希腊投资风能的中国公司。
12. 中兴通讯：在中国公司上海工宝商业咨询有限公司和凯信荣集团的支持下，它与希腊FORTHNet签订了一项协议，旨在开发光纤网络，金额为5亿欧元。
13. Forthnet与中国国际电视公司（CITVC）签署了一份谅解备忘录，目的是研究两家公司开展联合活动的可能性。
14. 百互润贸易有限公司是一家在中国从事皮肤化妆品分销的中国公司，它与摩根士丹利同意收购Korres S.A.的多数股权。新股东收购多数股权的现金投资约为4850万欧元。
15. 中国银行最近在希腊开设了一家分行，为绿色经济和能源投资提供资金。

还需要指出的是，中国的银行向希腊航运公司也提供了资金。根据国际经济关系研究所（IDOS）的一项研究，2009年至2017年间，中国的国家开发银行、进出口银行和中国工商银行向希腊航运公司提供了超过20亿美元的资金。与此同时，国家开发银行自2010年以来一直在希腊开展业务，参与中远集团在比雷埃夫斯的投资融资。

 
⬆  随着希腊能源生产转向可再生能源，能源领域是希中双方企业合作的一个很有前景的领域

许多中国利益相关的公司最近都表现出了在希腊投资的兴趣。根据公开的消息来源，其中一些包括：

·弗里德曼太平洋资产管理有限公司和申申机场（集团）有限公司将投资雅典国际机场
·中国建筑工程总公司
·中国铝业国际工程有限公司：对铝生产厂的升级和扩建感兴趣
·福建造船总公司：与希腊造船厂合作
·新希望集团：食品和农产品
·海南航空公司：对航空公司、飞机和酒店感兴趣
·万达：房地产投资
·工商银行：有意在希腊设立分行
·国家开发银行：有意在希腊设立分行
·上海质量体系审核中心：有兴趣与希腊标准化组织（ELOT）合作，认证可出口产品

与此同时，中国电力国际新能源控股有限公司对能源领域的合作感兴趣，并计划在希腊设立办事处；中国电力设备技术有限公司（CET）对涉及网络的基础设施项目表现出了兴趣；中国机构设备工程股份有限公司已与PPC签署了谅解备忘录，将在弗洛里纳建造第二座褐煤厂。

另一项重要协议是中国质量标志认证集团与EVETAM S.A.之间签署的独家合作协议，它们将共同参与研究、技术开发和实验室测试以及质量认证。

最后，还需要指出的是，中国在其他国家的对外直接投资的显著增加对许多在希腊进行投资或表现出类似兴趣的国际公司也产生了影响，因为中国公司对它们有大量的资金参与。

根据外国直接投资市场数据库和相关的新闻报道，希腊对中国最重要的投资有：

1. 2001年：上海普拉斯克塑料有限公司是PLASTIKA KRITIS与一家中国国有公司合建的合资企业，总股本投资是1000万欧元，其中72%由PLASTIKA KRITIS出资，PLASTIKA KRITIS拥有对合资企业的管理权。最近，该公司又投资4000万欧元建立了第二个生产工厂，生产聚合物母料。
2. 2012年：色雷斯塑料成立了“色雷斯中国”公司，为色雷斯集团产品在中国的分销提供服务。
3. 2013年：希腊克林曼公司在中国的昆山市（江苏省）进行了262万美元的投资，涉及工业机械、设备和工具，这是一个制造业项目。该投资旨在帮助公司渗透到中国、东南亚和大洋洲市场。克林曼公司还在上海投资了工业机械、设备和工具，投资方案涉及销售、营销和支持系统。
4. 2019年：Cocomat在中国建立和运营着24家店，用于分销其产品。
5. Euroterra 资本是Therianos家族创立的一家从事房地产投资和开发的跨国公司，它已经在中国的4个城市开展了业务。