Chinese President Xi Jinping spent the night on the island of Rhodes in southeastern Greece, after meeting with his Greek counterpart Sunday afternoon on a quick stopover while on the way to South America.

He will proceed to Brazil Monday to attend the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) summit, and the China-Latin America and Caribbean summit.

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President Xi arrived at 2 p.m. at the Rhodes Airport Sunday and was met by Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, after which the two leaders went to a luncheon hosted by Greek President Karolos Papoulias.

Xi and Papoulias had a formal meeting at the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes later in the evening.

The Chinese president thanked both Greek leaders for travelling quite a distance from Athens to meet him at Rhodes, together with senior cabinet officials and a small group of businessmen.

He also stressed the importance of China and Greece continuing to develop bilateral ties and exchanging views on international and regional issues affecting both countries.

Xi also took note of the fact that both countries have unique and distinct cultures that have a profound impact on civilization on both sides of the globe.  

President Xi also announced China's willingness to increase exchanges in the field of sports with Greece, the birthplace of modern Olympic Games.

China will be hosting the 2^nd Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing in August.

President Papoulias meanwhile expressed Greece's support for China's modernization and its important role in international affairs, and said his country is prepared for stronger cooperation especially in the initiative to build a Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21^st centuny maritime Silk Road.

rime Minister Samaras thanked China's assistance in Greece's response to its sovereign debt crisis, at the same time expressing appreciation for China's achievements in the economic arena.

TagsPresident Karolos Papoulias, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, Rhodes, BRICS