Bilateral trade between Greece and China surpassed €7.18 billion in 2025, according to the 2025 Annual Report released by the Office of Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Embassy of Greece in Beijing. Greek exports to China climbed 68.1% from €414.6 million in 2024 to €697.2 million in 2025. Imports from China to Greece decreased by 6.6%, falling to €6.48 billion. This shift narrowed Greece’s trade deficit with China by approximately €740 million.
Chinese Tourism Recovery and Travel Patterns
Chinese tourist arrivals at Greek airports increased to 95,311 in 2023, recovering from the pandemic low but remaining below the 2019 pre-pandemic figure of around 164,000 arrivals.
Chinese visitors typically stay for five to eight nights, favoring three- to five-star hotels and spending up to €2,500 per trip. Popular destinations include Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, the Aegean islands, Crete, Delphi, Olympia, and Meteora. Approximately 80% of Chinese travelers book packages focused solely on Greece, with a growing trend of independent travelers seeking authentic and cultural experiences.
Direct Flights and Digital Platforms
Direct flights connecting Athens with Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu facilitate travel and support Chinese arrivals. Promotion of Greece on Chinese digital platforms and acceptance of electronic payment methods such as Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay enhance visitor convenience. Increased interest spans business
travel, wellness tourism, retirement travel, weddings, and Chinese television productions hosted in Greece.
Sustained Investment and Strategic Economic Relations
Chinese investment interest in Greece remains strong amid improved trade figures and tourism recovery. The 2025 Annual Report identifies tourism as the sector with the greatest growth potential for bilateral cooperation in 2026. Strengthened economic ties are reflected in the significant reduction of Greece’s trade deficit and the surge in exports.
