Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) is a comprehensive research organization for studies of international politics, economy, security strategy and China’s external relations. According to a research report released in 2007 by Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) based in Philadelphia, it was listed in the Top 10 think tanks in the world (non US). On the occasion of the visit of a delegation in Athens – including President Dr Jiemian Yang – the Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) organized a round-table discussion on Wednesday 13 April 2011. This event gave the opportunity for a fruitful exchange of views on various issues between members of staff of the Greek and the Chinese research institutions.

The discussion was structured around five parts. In the first part, ELIAMEP representatives dealt with Greek foreign policy.  In particular, they explained that Greece counts on multidimensionality as it cannot go alone in the globalized world. They mainly focused on its membership in the European Union and its new approach vis-à-vis Turkey after 1999 as well as on its representation in G20 via the same body. They also outlined Greece’s potential role as facilitator in foreign affairs considering its international presence which is bigger than the country’s actual size. Further to this, they emphasised on the importance of the Greek Diaspora and shipping.

In the second part, the discussion revolved around the reasons behind Greece’s increased significance for China. Specifically, beyond its classical tradition, Greece was seen as a country which has had successful transitions historically. It was also portrayed as a gateway to the north and south and as a place where businessmen, who seek to expand their interests in the Mediterranean and Balkan region, can start from.

In the third part, the discussion focused on the revolt in the Arab world and especially the Libya issue. In this case, the element of cynicism in foreign policy was highlighted while uncertainty was perceived as the most appropriate term to be attributed to current and forthcoming developments in North Africa and the Middle East. Furthermore, these developments were considered to be another sign of the evolving multipolar structure of the world. In parallel with that, the ‘intervention fatigue’ of the USA was discussed and the need for collective action was stressed. As far as the role of Greece is concerned, its historical ties with the Arab world were briefly analyzed while its recent rapprochement with Israel was taken into account.