George Papandreou, former prime minister of Greece and President of the Socialist International, said the participation of Greece in the Belt and Road Initiative could bring powerful benefits to China in Beijing on Wednesday.

Papandreou made a speech on the topic, World Socialism and the Belt and Road Initiative, at a lecture organized by the Central Institute of Socialism on May 23.

In this lecture, Papandreou said "the symbolic and essential participation of Greece in the Belt and Road initiative can be a powerful benefit for China and Chinese people." He pointed out the deeper the participation of Greece, the greater the benefits. This will help the Belt and Road Initiative gain global recognition and legitimacy, which in turn will promote the development of China.

Papandreou also explained why Greece can participate and work together with China for promoting the Belt and Road initiative. He said Greece has a respectable international Olympic heritage and plays a central role in the international Olympic Games, a typical example showing a common rule between Greece and China that can allow them to work together. Meanwhile, Greece is a powerful maritime nation with thousands of islands, which means Greece can provide crucial support for China in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative.

In his speech, Papandreou pointed out that cooperation, alliance and a working relationship between China and Greece is not simply looking at the development of infrastructure but also looking at philosophy, different cultures and the knowledge between them. He added that Greece can work together with China along the road and help China promote the Belt and Road Initiative values of unity and peace to other countries.

"This is a Chinese initiative, but in the end, it is not just a Chinese project. So, bringing different countries and different cultures to add value to the Belt and Road initiative is very important."