Greece’s ancient civilisation was once a lure for China’s leaders...; Greece and China

....now it could prove their nemesis.

From South China Morning Post


"On Wednesday, the Greek Central Archaeological Council unanimously turned down Cosco’s expansion plan in Piraeus, effectively rendering half the town as an archaeological site. Cosco is now barred from constructing a mall next to a new cruise ship terminal, and is also facing restrictions on a five-star hotel set to be built in the Porto Leone area, in the southern section of the port where the cruise terminal is located".

"The fact that nearly all the projects in Cosco’s master plan have met with opposition from one stakeholder or another highlights doubts about whether the Chinese firms taking part in the “Belt and Road Initiative” – an ambitious transcontinental infrastructure project promoted by the central government – have been prepared to deal with local political considerations in the dozens of countries involved in the project"

What Varoufakis had to say in his book, Adults in the Room:

"His book also offers a rare glimpse into China’s diplomatic manoeuvring in Greece. In a dinner with Varoufakis, then Chinese ambassador Zou Xiaoli told him: “From Beijing’s perspective, Cosco is the dragon’s jaw. First, we must ensure that its teeth bite hard so that the dragon gets in. Once it is in, have no concerns or doubt: the rest of the dragon will follow.” When Varoufakis suggested taking him to Piraeus in a few days as a gesture of Greek-Chinese solidarity, Zou responded with “the smile of a child promised an enormous present”, Varoufakis recalled"