The Greek region of Attica and the municipality of Beijing are preparing to sign a Memorandum of Strategic Cooperation, following a meeting between Attica's regional governor, Nikos Chardalias, and Beijing's executive deputy mayor, Xia Linmao. The agreement is expected to be signed in Beijing during Chardalias's upcoming visit to the Chinese capital.
The meeting focused on strengthening multi-level cooperation and tightening local government relations between Greece and the People's Republic of China. The two sides aim to launch joint actions in culture, trade, research and innovation, with the memorandum intended to set a stable framework for that cooperation.
Welcoming Xia Linmao and the accompanying delegation, Chardalias said Attica's close cooperation with Chinese local authorities was not fragmentary but built on solid foundations. He said that after establishing communication channels and mutual trust with the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and the government of Jiangsu province, Attica was ready to take the next step by investing in stable, genuine and mutually beneficial relations with Beijing, which he said would bring the two peoples closer and leave a substantial mark on their societies and economies.
Strengths on both sides
Chardalias described Attica as having a strong international presence, significant development potential and a unique cultural heritage. He said Beijing, also a region with a long history, was one of the most important political, economic and technological centres in the world, adding that there were many fields in which the two sides could join forces and develop initiatives.
On the planned memorandum, he said it would serve as a shared roadmap for the effort, allowing institutions, universities, research bodies, chambers of commerce and businesses to connect directly and turn shared priorities into tangible partnerships.
Attica's regional governor is the top elected official for the Attica region, which includes the capital, Athens, and is Greece's most populous and economically significant region.
Trade fairs and tourism push
The two delegations also discussed international exhibitions held in China covering tourism, trade, innovation and food, with a view to incorporating them into Attica's outward-facing planning. One example raised was the 9th China International Import Expo, described as Shanghai's largest trade fair, which is due to take place in early November. Attica will take part as a co-exhibitor at the national pavilion of the Greek National Tourism Organisation, promoting the thematic experiences on offer in Athens and the wider Attica region.
Chardalias also briefed the Chinese delegation on "Attic Culture," a new organisation being set up by the region that will focus exclusively on tourism promotion and development in Attica. It is expected to begin operating in the second half of 2027. He said it was his intention for the new body's first international festival to have China as its guest of honour, describing the aim as creating a new, permanent institution for cultural outreach that would provide more opportunities for communication and cultural exchange, particularly among younger generations.
Research and innovation cooperation
The two sides held an extended discussion on prospects for cooperation in research and innovation, with an emphasis on linking scientific knowledge to entrepreneurship and production. Chardalias said that on questions of innovation, the two regions needed to understand in depth the major changes taking place globally and invest in research cooperation. He described chambers of commerce, research centres and universities as valuable partners in that effort, and said the goal was to connect knowledge with production and entrepreneurship by creating stable channels for exchanging know-how and development between the two countries.
Beijing's response
Xia Linmao thanked the governor for the warm welcome and said Beijing recognised Attica as the strongest region in Greece, with significant geographic advantages, international standing and a deep cultural heritage. He noted that this year marks 20 years since the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Greece and China, calling the anniversary an important opportunity to deepen cooperation between the two regions and turn a strong climate of mutual trust into a series of joint actions.
He went on to describe Beijing's modern identity as a political and cultural centre of China, an international communication hub and a major centre of scientific and technological innovation. According to Xia Linmao, the Beijing municipality covers 16,410 square kilometres and has 21.8 million permanent residents, while its GDP exceeded 660 billion euros in 2025. He highlighted the Chinese capital's development in artificial intelligence, integrated circuits and biomedical technology.
Investment opportunities
On prospects for economic cooperation, Xia Linmao said Beijing wanted to invite businesses from Attica to invest in China, while also encouraging dynamic Chinese companies to seek investment opportunities in Greece, and in Attica specifically. He said the two regions had significant and complementary advantages, and that with the support of relevant bodies and chambers of commerce, they could build stable communication channels, strengthen direct contact between their business communities, and turn existing potential into concrete, mutually beneficial partnerships.
