On May 18, 2013, Yu Zhengsheng, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met in Hangzhou with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, who is present for the second annual Conference of the World Cultural Forum (Taihu, China).

Yu Zhengsheng said that the two countries and their people share a profound traditional friendship. China and Greece are now facing good opportunities for the practical cooperation. China is willing to strengthen strategic communication, to deepen trade and investment cooperation and to expand people-to-people exchanges with Greece in a bid to jointly boost the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Yu Zhengsheng noted that the Chinese government attaches great importance to building up an ecological civilization. It is of great significance for the annual Conference to be themed "strengthening international cooperation for ecological civilization". China will communicate with all other countries to discuss plans for cooperation on speeding up the build-up of ecological civilization.

Samaras said that Greece and China have both played important roles in boosting the progress of human civilization, sharing mutual respect and friendly relationship. The Greece-China cooperation has broad prospects. The Greek side welcomes more Chinese businesses investing in Greece and will enhance practical cooperation with China in the build-up of the ecological civilization and other fields to push for greater development of the bilateral relations.