Heraklion: The Ambassador of China on a three-day visit

On Sunday, September 27, 2026, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Fang Qiu, arrived in Heraklion as part of a three-day visit commemorating 20 years of strategic cooperation between Greece and China. The goal of the mission, as stated, is to strengthen relations and cooperation between the two countries, with emphasis on areas of mutual interest. The first stop of the visit was the “Nikos Kazantzakis” Museum in Myrtia, a choice that was not coincidental, as the Cretan writer had traveled twice to China and is considered among the first Greeks to contribute to introducing Chinese culture to Greece. The visit is part of a broader program of contacts undertaken by the Ambassador in various regions of Greece, with Crete being one of the key stations due to its economic and cultural weight.

During his visit to the Museum, the Chinese Ambassador referred to the timeless value of Kazantzakis’s work and the importance of mutual acquaintance of the two cultures, stressing “the need to continue friendship and cooperation.” Ambassador Fang Qiu is accompanied during his tour by representatives of some of the most important Chinese companies operating in Europe, as part of a Greek-Chinese dialogue for business understanding and networking. The mission is described as an opportunity for exchange of views and exploration of new business partnerships, with emphasis on innovation and high-quality development. The fact that the visit began from a cultural space and not from an official building was considered by those present as indicative of the emphasis that the Chinese side places on cultural bridges as a foundation for economic cooperation.

For the local economy of Crete, the visit of such a strong business mission represents an opportunity for networking in areas such as trade, industry and technology, as the Chinese businessmen accompanying the Ambassador are expected to come into contact with businessmen on the island. The choice of Heraklion as a station of such a mission, as well as the planning of the program around institutional and cultural reference points of the place, highlights the effort to connect economic diplomacy with the cultural heritage of the region. Local stakeholders expect to see in the coming days whether specific agreements or cooperation memoranda will emerge from these contacts, as so far no official text or commitment has been announced between the two sides.

The program for Monday includes a meeting of the Ambassador with the Regional Governor of Crete, while it will be followed by contacts with mayors, institutional and business bodies on the island, as well as a meeting of Chinese businessmen with Heraklion businessmen. The day will conclude with an event at the Heraklion Town Hall, where traditional Chinese dance will be presented by a large dance troupe, as well as with a visit to the KRITI TV Group. The visit of the Chinese Ambassador to Heraklion will conclude on Tuesday with a visit to Plastika Crete and the Institute of Technology and Research (ITE). It has not been clarified whether specific investment initiatives will emerge from the Monday and Tuesday meetings, as the program remains focused on familiarization and networking contacts between the two sides.