Chinese president calls for development, stability to resolve European refugee crisis

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for elimination of poverty and conflict to address the European refugee crisis.

Meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Xi said that the root of the current refugee crisis troubling the Europe lies in unbalanced development and social instability.

In addition to humanitarian aid, the international community should find an effective solution for poverity and social instability and especially eliminate the cause of conflicts in the refugees' countries in order to cope with the crisis, Xi noted.

According to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, over 42,000 people, mostly refugees, reached Greece by sea in the first five months of 2015.

Tsipras said he agreed with Xi that both the symptoms and root causes of the refugee crisis should be addressed.

China believes the European countries can make concerted efforts to cope with this challenge, and properly handle relevant issues, Xi said.

With regard to the China-Greece relations, Xi called Greece as a good friend and partner and hailed the development of bilateral relations since its establishment 43 years ago.

He said China was ready to work with Greece to enhance traditional friendship, deepen mutual understanding and trust, and bring the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to a new height.

Xi said the two sides should maintain high-level engagement, expand exchanges between governments, parliaments and political parties, and beef up people-to-people exchanges.

Xi called on the two countries to make new progress in areas such as establishing cultural centers, students exchanges, jointly training high level talents as well as tourism industry.

The two countries should make full play to the China-Greece Maritime Cooperation Year, facilitating the exchanges and cooperation on maritime development, exploration and protection, Xi said.

Tsipras said Greece cherished its traditional ties with China and was grateful for China's valuable assistance, adding that cooperation with China is of strategic importance.

Greece hopes to expand bilateral cooperation in areas including agriculture, shipping, finance, investment and maritime, and would actively take part in cooperation under the framework of China's Belt and Road initiative.

The bilateral meeting took place on the sidelines of the 70th session of the UN Geneneral Assembly, where Xi gave a speech in the morning.

The Chinese president left here for Beijing on Monday after concluding his first state visit to the United States and first appearance at the UN headquarters. Endi