Crete Governor meets Chinese Ambassador to discuss infrastructure and trade

Stavros Arnaoutakis, the Regional Governor of Crete, met with Fang Qiu, the Chinese Ambassador to Greece, during an official business delegation organized by the Chinese Embassy in Athens. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between the two regions across several key sectors, including primary industry, tourism, and infrastructure.

Governor Arnaoutakis highlighted major ongoing development projects in Crete, such as the new Kastelli airport and the Northern Road Axis of Crete (BOAK). He also noted the energy interconnection project for Crete, which already involves Chinese capital. Discussions included promoting the export of Cretan agricultural products, such as olive oil, to the Chinese market and enhancing direct tourism flows.

Cultural cooperation was also a priority, particularly following the inclusion of Minoan archaeological sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Ambassador Fang Qiu praised Crete’s hospitality and referenced the island’s historical role in the 2011 safe evacuation of 14,000 Chinese citizens from Libya, emphasizing the long-standing friendship between the two nations.