Gao noted that in November last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and then Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou sent congratulatory messages to the inaugural World Conference of Classics, which sparked enthusiastic responses. With strong support from various sectors in both countries, the Chinese School of Classical Studies at Athens (CSCSA) was successfully established in Athens last year. In March this year, President Xi, in a congratulatory message to Greece’s newly elected President Konstantinos Tasoulas, again underscored that the establishment of the CSCSA reflects the beauty of harmony and shared responsibility of the two ancient civilizations in our time.

Gao emphasized that both China and Greece are nations with long and distinguished histories, and the potential for cultural exchange and cooperation between them is immense. Looking ahead, he expressed the hope that the two key platforms—the World Conference of Classics and the CSCSA—will support the deepening of comprehensive cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two sides. Such efforts, he said, would not only contribute to mutual understanding between Chinese and Greek civilizations, but also provide valuable historical insights and inspiration for global prosperity, stability, and development.

Mendoni affirmed that the Greek Ministry of Culture attaches great importance to its cooperation with CASS and fully supports holding the second World Conference of Classics in Athens. She expressed hope that scholars from both countries would strengthen exchanges through the World Conference of Classics, the Ancient Civilizations Forum, and a range of academic seminars at various levels. The Ministry, she said, is closely following the development of the CSCSA and hopes it will serve as a vital bridge between Greek and Chinese civilizations—and more broadly, between Eastern and Western cultures—while producing high-quality research in history, archaeology, and classical studies.

The two sides also reached a preliminary understanding on conducting joint research and related collaborative initiatives.