Hu in Greece for $1bn port deal

President Hu Jintao arrived in Athens Monday on a three-day visit to Greece, coinciding with a US$1 billion port deal to be signed today between Chinese shipper Cosco Pacific and Piraeus, Greece’s main port, AP reported. Hu arrived from a tour of Latin America following the G20 summit in Washington. Under the deal, Cosco will receive a 35-year concession to manage two container wharfs at Piraeus. Cosco said it would invest an additional US$297 million on pier upgrades. Dock workers’ unions opposed the plan, announcing a 24-hour strike Tuesday and a protest rally in Athens. Hu was received on his arrival by Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, and is due to meet with President Karolos Papoulias.