Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said in Beijing Thursday that China will explore potential cooperation with Greece and develop the friendly relationship between the two countries.

During a meeting with former Greek Prime Minister Constantine Simitis, Tang said the two countries were both of great civilizations and have always maintained a tradition of friendship.

Describing Greece as "a friend worthy of trust," Tang said China will expand cooperation with Greece on the Olympic Games and on tourism.

Simitis said he hopes for positive development in the Greece- China relationship, adding it is a also good time for the developing EU-China partnership.

Dramatic changes taking place in China are an opportunity for the European Union, he said. "It is more important than any time before to develop an EU-China partnership," said the advocate of EU expansion and Greece's integration into the EU's single currency system.

Constantine Simitis, born in Athens in 1936, was elected Greek Prime Minister and President of The Panhellenic Socialist Movement in 1996. He resigned after the New Democracy won the election in March 8,2004. He visited China twice during his tenure.