China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin said in Athens on Tuesday that China encourages its enterprises to invest in Greece, and is ready to strengthen cooperation in ocean shipping and expand trade with the debt-ridden European country.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks during a meeting with the first deputy president of Greece's New Democracy Party Dimitris Avramopoulos.

China is willing to join hands with Greece to uplift the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries to a new high, Jia said.

Noting that New Democracy Party has always upheld friendly policies towards China, Jia said the Greek opposition party plays an important role in the development of friendly collaborations between the two sides.

China is ready to further enhance its cooperation with the New Democracy Party so as to push forward the overall Sino-Greek bilateral ties, said Jia.

For his part, Avramopoulos said Jia's visit at a time when Greece was confronted with utmost difficulties has offered great support and encouragement to the Greek people.

The New Democracy Party attaches great importance to developing ties with China, and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in order to further contribute to the development of Sino-Greek ties, he said.

Jia arrived in Athens on Sunday for a five-day visit to Greece. The country is the first stop of Jia's three-nation tour to Europe, which will also take him to the Netherlands and Germany.

(Xinhua News Agency October 25, 2011)