Chinese ambassador leads delegation to Heraklion for talks with Crete governor on tourism and investment

A multi-member delegation from China, led by the country’s ambassador to Greece, Fang Qiu, visited Heraklion on Monday for talks with the Region of Crete’s governor, Stavros Arnaoutakis.

The meeting took place in the morning in what officials described as a cordial atmosphere. Arnaoutakis said such meetings “always produce a positive result for relations between the two countries.”

According to the governor, the discussion focused on efforts to strengthen tourism, particularly ahead of the completion of the Kastelli airport project, and on the need to support investment between Greece and China. Cultural cooperation and Crete’s electrical interconnection project also featured prominently in the talks, Arnaoutakis said.

A follow-up meeting is expected to take place with mayors from across Crete, institutional and business representatives from the island, and representatives of the Chinese companies accompanying the ambassador, according to the report.

Work on the new international airport at Kastelli remains a major focus for regional authorities seeking to expand tourism and investment on Crete, alongside related infrastructure projects such as the redevelopment of the land around Heraklion’s current airport, which is moving toward a new tender phase.