来源： 类型：
Commercial Counsellor Mr. Li Feng’s Speech at
the Appreciation Banquet of COSCO Shipping Ports Limited
His Excellency Minister Kouroumblis，Mr. Chen Ken, Captain Fu Chengqiu, Mr. Zhang Anming, Captain Xiao Bu Zhou, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my great honour to be invited to address the event today. At the Piraeus Container Terminal (PCT) this afternoon, we witnessed a new era of 20,000 TEU+ for the Port of Piraeus, the operation of the 3rd berth with a capacity of over 20,000 TEU, and the maiden voyage of M.V. COSCO SHIPPING TAURUS, a magnificent containership that made a deep impression on us. TAURUS, as a part of the vessel name, originates from Greek mythology.
Agenor, king of Phoenicia, had a pretty daughter called Europa. Zeus, who took a fancy to Europa, transformed himself into a bull with golden hair. Europa could not resist jumping on the back of the bull, who immediately took Europa to the island of Crete.Then Europa became the wife of Zeus and lived there ever since. Zeus later re-created the shape of the bull in the stars, which is now known as the constellation Taurus. Taurus is the second sign of the zodiac and the only one related to love. The Greek 2-euro coin is telling this beautiful story.
Today, the journey of COSCO SHIPPING TAURUS signifies the integration of modern industrial civilization and ancient Greek civilization, the harmony and win-win cooperation between China and Greece, and the pursuit of wealth and prosperity. The vessel and the 3rd berth of PCT for 20,000+ vessels will not only usher in a new era for the Port of Piraeus, but also bring glory, wealth and happiness to our politicians, entrepreneurs and friends from all walks of life who are present here today.
Distinguished Guests, Friends,
As we know, the Port of Piraeus project, invested by COSCO SHIPPING, has made significant contributions to the local socioeconomic development of Greece as it directly provides nearly 2,000 job opportunities, most of which are newly created. The project has also boosted the development of and employment in related industries, including tugboat, pilotage, truck, train, logistics, storage, bunker and environmental protection.
The Piraeus Port project provides a good start for deeper cooperation between China and Greece. In the wake of such a successful project, project investment between the two countries have yielded fruitful results. Many projects, including the State Grid project, have been completed, in addition to a number of others underway.
Apart from China and Greece, more countries will benefit from the development of COSCO SHIPPING at Piraeus: COSCO SHIPPING TAURUS, which arrived here today, departed from China and would head toward the Netherlands and Germany in Northwest Europe after calling at Singapore and Greece. The 77-day voyage will closely connect the Far East with Europe through transportation and trade. As far as I know, COSCO SHIPPING is not the only shipping company serving this route. World-renowned players, such as Evergreen, Yang Ming, MSC, Maersk, CMA-CGM and Hapag-Lloyd, are among the key accounts of Piraeus. In 2010 when COSCO SHIPPING just took over its operation, the port’s annual throughput was merely 860,000 TEU, but seven years later, the figure had increased fourfold to 4.15 million TEU. Nowadays, Piraeus is serving almost all major shipping companies worldwide who are benefiting from the port’s fully developed advantages in geographical location, natural conditions and preferential policies. That is the reason why you are all here today.
Distinguished Guests, Friends,
Today, we have witnessed a new era for the Port of Piraeus, as well as its evolution from an ordinary gateway port to the most important port of transshipment in the Mediterranean. COSCO SHPIPING has an ambitious plan to develop sea-rail intermodal transport and logistics distribution business, so as to build the port into a gateway to Central and Eastern Europe as well as a logistics distribution center of prime importance in the region. We’re convinced that, with your support, their ambitious goals can be attained. The plan of COSCO SHPIPING will bring opportunities not only to the Corporation itself, to China and Greece, but also to all of you—world-class shipping companies and friends from local industries—to shape the development of a region while enjoying the business interests from such development.
Distinguished Guests, Friends,
The Piraeus Port project serves as a key link in building the Belt and Road and a good example of accomplishing the five major goals of the Belt and Road Initiative, namely, policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds. It also reflects the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration, which will help us achieve common development and prosperity. Together, let us build an even brighter future for the Port of Piraeus in the new era.
Thank you.
