The Chinese community in Greece has decreased over the past 15 years by 10,000 people while Chinese stores, that have mushroomed all around the country, are struggling now with financial crisis. President of the Chinese Trade and Cultural Association in Greece, Mr Xu Weichun, met mayor of Athens Yiorgos Kaminis last week and discussed about many issues concerning Greece’s Chinese community.
Mr Xu told Kaminis that revenue of Chinese stores in Greece has dropped by 50% since 2010, when Greece first faced recession.
As a result, Chinese businessmen are trying to increase their income and have started exporting products to their homeland. They have realized, in contrast to Greek nationals who do not take advantage of Greek products, that some Greek food items such as saffron, are of excellent quality. Besides, Chinese consumers show great interest about them.
Chinese Ambassador in Athens Du Qiwen also attended the meeting along with other Chinese representatives. They asked the Greek mayor to contribute in their efforts to export to Asia.
According to Kathimerini newspaper, Chinese bussinesswomen, who own stores in downtown Athens, expressed their fear about future burglaries. However, president of Chinese women in Greece, Mrs Susana Xueyan, stressed that Greek people have always treated Chinese with respect.
“Greeks and Chinese immigrants will overcome the crisis together,” concluded Xueyan.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
