On October 24th, 2025, Study in Greece (SiG) had the great honor of welcoming a distinguished delegation from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Greece, led by Minister-Counsellor Mr. Lai Bo and accompanied by Education Attaché Ms. Wang Ying and Ms. Gao Shinan.
The delegation was warmly received by Prof. Christos Michalakelis, President of Study in Greece, together with Mr. George Chatzithanasis, Operations Director, and Ms. Diana Zhong, Head of International Partnerships. The meeting, held at SiG’s headquarters in Athens, took place in a cordial and forward-looking atmosphere, reflecting the mutual commitment to further deepen educational cooperation between Greece and China.
During the discussions, the two sides exchanged detailed perspectives on practical ways to strengthen collaboration between Greek and Chinese higher education institutions. Prof. Christos Michalakelis presented SiG’s mission as the national organization promoting Greek higher education internationally, emphasizing its role as a gateway for global partnerships and a bridge connecting Greek universities with the international academic community.
One of the key topics discussed was the collaboration with the China Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE), aimed at shaping a clear roadmap for the next phase of Sino-Hellenic academic cooperation. The discussion also underlined the importance of closer connections between academia and the business sector. Both sides agreed that collaboration with Chinese enterprises active in Greece could create new opportunities for knowledge exchange, student engagement, and the deepening of educational and cultural understanding between the two countries.
The Embassy representatives voiced their full support for these initiatives and were pleased to see the increasing number of academic exchanges and partnerships between Chinese and Greek institutions, including the establishment of the Chinese and Greek Civilizations Center (KELKIP) and the Sinology Center in Greece, as well as the programs organized by both centers, which mark significant milestones in bilateral academic collaboration.
They also reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to facilitating student and academic mobility and the establishment of credit transfer mechanisms between Greek and Chinese institutions. Moreover, they expressed their welcome for more Greek students and scholars to visit China, noting that the existing 30-day visa-free policy for Greek citizens continues to provide new momentum for strengthening academic and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
The meeting concluded on a highly positive note, with both Study in Greece and the Chinese Embassy reiterating their shared determination to continue working closely toward a vibrant and enduring partnership in higher education.
