Greece welcomed the resumption of Air China flights from Beijing to Athens on Wednesday with a ceremony held at Athens International "Eleytherios Venizelos" Airport.

After a two-year break in operations due to the global economic crisis, the capitals of the two ancient civilizations are linked again with two flights a week, every Wednesday and Saturday, via Munich, Germany.

"It is a first substantial step in efforts to further promote bilateral ties," said Nikolas Kanellopoulos, president of the Greek National Tourism Organization.

Among the 95 passengers of the Airbus 330 aircraft that landed at "Eleytherios Venizelos" airport on Wednesday and was greeted with a water fountain, were Deputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis, Xia Xinghua, deputy administrator of Chinese Civil Aviation, and Air China vice president Feng Rune.

"Today we build a bridge connecting Greece and China, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties on tourism, business and culture," Kouvelis said.

Kouvelis also expressed hope that the number of weekly non-stop flights connecting Beijing and Athens would increase in the coming months.

During a recent visit to China, Kouvelis signed a joint statement with Chinese officials to simplify visa procedures for Chinese visitors to Greece.

Approximately 10,000 Chinese visited Greece last year and the country hopes to attract 100,000 over the next two years.

"Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle said that well begun is half done," Xia said. "I believe the relaunch of Air China operations in Greece is a very good start to enhance bilateral ties."

During the ceremony, Xia and Luo Linquan, the Chinese ambassador to Greece, extended China's appreciation to the Greek government and its citizens for their help with the evacuation of more than 13,000 Chinese nationals from Libya earlier this spring.

"Through the restart of the air link between Beijing and Athens, China proves with actions to the Greek people the will of a good friend to help them face an acute debt crisis," Luo said.

Stratos Papadimitriou, president of Athens International Airport, expressed confidence that Air China's return to Athens will benefit both countries.