Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited two famous sites in Greece on Saturday, in what is considered as a light moment to end his European visit, sending a message that Chinese leaders' overseas trips are not focused solely on business deals.

Premier Li visited the Palace of Knossos and the Iraklion Archeological Museum, two of the famous tourist spots in Greece, a rare arrangement considering that trips of Chinese leaders are generally organized around a tight schedule.

Like Us on Facebook

The Chinese premier also dropped by the Acropolis of Athens and the National Archaeological Museum a day before and, Thursday, had dinner at the Acropolis Museum. Analysts said Premier Li did the right thing when he visited Greece's famous cultural site to show that China pays tribute to a great civilization.

Ruan Zongze, vice president of the China Institute of International Studies said Greece is a mirror of China in the West, considering its great civilization and the country's long history.  When two countries share comparable histories, Ruan said it will be easy to strike deals.

Spiritual and cultural exchanges also help other countries better understand China's culture and allow them to fully comprehend why China does not have "genes of expansion".

China has given strong support to Greece during the European country's debt crisis and declared confidence in its economy, while providing funding through various mechanisms.

Greece, in turn, used its great maritime prowess to help Beijing evacuate more than 13,000 citizens from Libya in just 10 days in 2011. It opened the island of Crete for Chinese to stay temporarily.

Cui Hongjian, director of the China Institute of International Studies' Department of European Studies, said Sino-Hellenic relations "have a good foundation" and enjoy an "almost perfect situation".

Li left Greece for home on Saturday evening. The trip also took him to Britain.

TagsChina Greece Visit