Li Keqiang in Athens

Li Keqiang in Athens Thursday for an official visit, his first trip to Greece since taking office in 2013. Li is scheduled to meet with top Greek leaders, including President Karolos Papoulias, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Parliament Speaker Evangelos Vasileios Meimarakis. During the visit, both countries are expected to sign more than 20 cooperation agreements and business contracts on trade, investment, finance, shipping, technology, culture and quality inspection, according to Chinese Ambassador to Greece Zou Xiaoli. As a highlight of Li's visit, the two prime ministers will jointly inspect the Piraeus Container Terminal (PCT) near Athens, part of which is operated China's state-owned shipping giant COSCO under a 35-year lease signed in 2009. The premier will also address a forum on maritime cooperation between China and Greece, and deliver a speech to expound China's views on maritime issues. Li's visit will further consolidate bilateral traditional friendship, deepen political trust and expand win-win cooperation in diversified fields, said Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao. Greece is the second leg of Li's two-nation Europe trip, which has taken him to Britain, where he witnessed the signing of a set of cooperation deals worth over 30 billion U.S. dollars. Li will conclude his visit on Saturday.