On October 3, 2010, visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Greek President Karolos Papoulias in Athens.

Wen conveyed cordial greetings from President Hu Jintao to Papoulias. Wen said he has bought with him the Chinese people's friendship with Greek people as well as their aspiration for sincere cooperation. The premier said he witnessed the Greek government and people's unremitting efforts in coping with the challenges of the international financial crisis. Wen also expressed his belief that Greece could definitely overcome the temporary difficulties and make new development.

"The China-Greece friendship and cooperation have gone through tests, and are facing a bright future," Wen said. "China is willing to be a good friend and partner of Greece forever, move forward hand in hand, and accomplish common development," Wen said.

Papoulias, for his part, asked Wen to convey his greetings to President Hu. He said Greece admires China's achievements in economic and social development, and its positive role in promoting world peace and development. Papoulias congratulated Premier Wen on his successful Greece visit and thanked for the support and help offered by China when Greece is faced with difficulties. He voiced his belief that bilateral friendly cooperation would expand into deeper and wider fields and benefit the two peoples.

On the same day, Wen met leader of Greece's New Democracy party Antonis Samaras. Wen said the positive friendship policy towards China adopted by the New Democracy party has played an important role in pushing forward friendly cooperation between both countries in all areas. China is ready to keep closer party-to-party exchanges and cooperation with Greece's New Democracy party and jointly push forward bilateral ties.

Samaras said Premier Wen's visit to Greece conveyed confidence to the outside world. The New Democracy party is ready to make new contributions to pushing for pragmatic cooperation in all areas and building up friendship between both peoples.

Also on October 3, Premier Wen met with the staff of the Chinese embassy in Greece and representatives from Chinese-funded institutions, Chinese students and overseas Chinese.