The spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Greece has issued a firm response to a journalist’s question regarding comments made by the new U.S. Ambassador to Greece, who recently suggested that Athens should “sell the Port of Piraeus to counter Chinese influence.”
In the Embassy’s statement, the spokesperson said the U.S. ambassador’s remarks were “baseless attacks” on the investment and operation of the Port of Piraeus by Chinese companies, calling them a malicious distortion of normal China–Greece cooperation and a serious intrusion into Greece’s internal affairs.
Moreover, the spokesperson added, “were steeped in Cold War mentality and hegemonic thinking,” contradicting fundamental diplomatic norms and reflecting Washington’s intent to advance its own geopolitical interests by exploiting the port, and even Greece itself.
The Embassy emphasized that China and Greece are long-standing partners that support each other in difficult times. It recalled that during Greece’s debt crisis, China offered crucial assistance, enabling Piraeus to grow into one of the leading ports of the Mediterranean and Europe, creating tens of thousands of jobs and generating significant economic benefits for the country.
“The Port of Piraeus belongs to the Greek people,” the spokesperson said, stressing that it should not be turned into a pawn in geopolitical rivalry.
Additionally, the Embassy accused the United States of trying to pressure Greece into abandoning contractual commitments and selling the port for its own agenda — a move it described as destabilizing and contrary to Greek interests.
The spokesperson added that such attempts “are doomed to fail before the Greek people,” citing their long cultural heritage and wisdom.
