China, Greece hold dialogue on ancient civilizations

Cooperation, harmony and ethics were the key words in the 2010 Chinese-Greek Cultural Dialogue held Friday as part of the seventh annual Thessaloniki Book Fair.

Chinese and Greek scholars versed in philosophy, arts, economics and politics compared notes Friday on "Ancient Civilizations and Modernization," which was the theme of the book fair that also featured China as a guest of honor.

Greek Culture Minister George Kouseos and Chinese Ambassador Luo Linquan delved into the long-standing bilateral relations and Olympic legacy that connects the two countries through the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games.

Sun Shoushan, vice president of the Chinese General Administration of Press and Publications, which co-hosted the dialogue, praised the history of the two countries. Both were home to ancient civilizations and he spoke highly of the principle of mutual understanding between the countries.

Grigoris Prastakos, rector of the Economics University of Athens and president of the Athens Confucius Institute, noted that Greece and the rest of the world marvel at the achievements of China, particularly in its economy.

Prastakos gave a lecture on how ancient Greek and Chinese philosophies had helped a modern-time manager.

Zhang Yuyan, director of the Institute of International Economy and Politics at the Chinese Academy of Social Studies, elaborated on the factors behind the Chinese mode of economic and social prosperity. Those factors, he said, included realism, hard work and equality.

Harmony and respect as the key ethics of Confucius, Aristotle and other great thinkers and artists from both countries were the focus of the speeches by Ru Xin, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Social Studies; Mariana Benetatou, professor of philosophy; Chen Qi, professor of arts, and Giorgis Giatromanolakis, professor of ancient Greek studies.

Discipline, team spirit and will to communicate were the focus of the lectures given by Sotiris Hatzigakis, the former Greek minister of justice; diplomat Giorgos Veis, and philosophy professor Vasilis Karasmanis, who explained how the legacy of the two ancient civilizations could be used in today's world of globalization.

Touching on the debt crisis that hit Greece recently, Luo expressed his belief that the Greeks, with a long history of civilization and outstanding individuals, will overcome the difficulties and make additional contributions to the development and progress of Europe and the rest of the world.

Source: People's Daily.
Link: http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/6962153.html.