Greece’s cultural presence in China is growing, with three major exhibitions of Greek antiquities currently showcased in top Beijing museums – a sign of deepening Greek-Sino cultural diplomacy and mutual admiration for ancient civilizations.

During an official visit to Beijing recently, Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni met with Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli to reaffirm the countries’ long-standing cultural cooperation. The two officials highlighted progress in joint museum initiatives, institutional partnerships, and underwater archaeology, including the planned National Museum of Underwater Antiquities at the former SILO building in Piraeus.

Minister Sun praised the high level of bilateral relations and emphasized China’s appreciation for Greek heritage. He noted that the strong visibility of Greek exhibitions in Beijing reflects China’s respect for ancient cultures and its aim to draw inspiration from them.

The three exhibitions currently on view are:

– “Greeks: From Agamemnon to Alexander the Great” at the Capital Museum
– “The Countless Aspects of Beauty” at the National Museum of China
– “Daedalus: Myths of Crete” at the Palace Museum

China supports reunification of Parthenon Sculptures, Greek UNESCO candidacy

Sun also voiced China’s official support for Greece’s bid to inscribe the Minoan Palaces of Crete on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In addition, he reiterated China’s long-standing support for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures at the Acropolis Museum-an issue Greece has championed for decades.

Minister Mendoni thanked her counterpart for China’s continued backing and cooperation on matters such as combating the illicit trafficking of cultural goods. She stressed the shared responsibility of culturally rich nations to protect and promote their heritage globally.

The ministers also exchanged invitations to upcoming cultural diplomacy forums in Athens and Beijing.

In a separate meeting, Mendoni and Dr. Wu Weishan, Director General of the National Art Museum of China, explored future collaborations in exhibition exchanges and dialogue between contemporary Greek and Chinese artists. Special mention was made of Dr. Wu’s sculptural ensemble “Confucius and Socrates: A Meeting”, currently exhibited at the Ancient Agora of Athens.