In an interview with Beijing Review, Zhang Qiyue, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee and Chinese Ambassador to Greece, shared her views on how Greece has benefited from a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative. Her main points follow:

When the Belt and Road vision was first articulated, not many countries were familiar with the idea of a modern-day version of the historical Silk Road. At that time, cash-strapped Greece was eager for investment and looked to privatize its state-owned assets to repay its loans. Chinese shipping company COSCO lent a hand by investing in the Greek Port of Piraeus. However, when COSCO first came to Greece, it sparked concerns among locals reluctant to see their largest and most important port run by a foreign company.

COSCO has over time won respect and understanding from the Greek people. Anyone familiar with the situation will tell you it is a great company and a reliable friend that has brought enormous changes to the Port of Piraeus.

A country can feel the positive benefits of the Belt and Road Initiative only after becoming involved in it. Through participation in Belt and Road projects they will realize that this initiative is an open and transparent platform that encourages candid discussions and voluntary cooperation among all participants. Each country will then form its own judgment on whether the initiative is good for its own development and how it can benefit by participating in it.

Another significant feature of the initiative is that it follows market rules where the companies are the main players. It is not a political strategy seeking to advance China’s interests. All activities have to follow international rules and regulations.

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