Doubled Greece-China trade by 2015, Li predicts (2)

'Positive guiding role'

"China expects Greece to play a positive guiding role inside the EU, urge the EU to be cautious on using trade remedy measures, firmly oppose trade protectionism and protect the overall situation of China-EU economic and trade relations," Li said, according to the statement.

Samaras appreciated the help from Beijing, saying China is a "real friend of the Greek people".

He welcomed Chinese enterprises to invest in his country and promised to push the EU to properly handle trade frictions. After the meeting the two premiers officiated at the signing ceremony of cooperation documents on trade, investment, shipping and agriculture.

Samaras arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a five-day visit. He will also meet other Chinese leaders and go to Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, to attend the World Cultural Forum.

Accompanied by his ministers of foreign affairs, tourism, development and merchant marine and about 60 Greek entrepreneurs, Samaras is the second leader from EU member nations, after French President Francois Hollande, to visit China since China's new government took power in March.

Samaras is seeking more support from China during his visit, and Li's remarks assured him of Beijing's support, said Jin Ling, a researcher on European studies with the China Institute of International Studies.

On the other side, Greece's ongoing privatization process can bring new opportunities for Chinese enterprises, Jin said.

Greek support for China's past evacuation efforts reflected deep political trust between the two nations, said Song Xiaomin, a researcher on European studies with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

"China and Greece are not only short-time partners based on economic benefits," she said.

In his speech at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences on Thursday morning, Samaras appreciated Chinese investments during a difficult time for Greece, saying that Chinese investment has created a lot of job opportunities and has been valuable in alleviating the Greek crisis.

Samaras noted that while Greece had restored its credibility, it also paid a high price.