What was the reason why Greece was willing to let the "Varyag" arrive in China?

In July 1997, Chuanglu Group hired a tugboat to tow the Varyag on a long voyage. When the ship arrived in the Black Sea waters of northern Turkey, it was preparing to pass through the Turkish-controlled Botswana. When passing through the Spruce Strait, the Turkish government blocked the passage of the Varyag and ordered it to return to the Black Sea. So the Varyag drifted in the Black Sea for a month. When it tried to pass through the Spruce Strait in August, it was blocked again. The Varyag was blocked again. He had to return to the Nikolayev Shipyard in Ukraine.

The Bosporus is a must-pass strait. For this reason, the negotiations between China and Turkey continued until late 2001. The Chinese government exported weapons technology to Turkey, causing the Turkish military to change its attitude. The Turkish government took the opportunity to ask for permission, asking China to allow 2 million people to travel to Turkey every year, and to provide economic assistance of US$360 million, etc. China also agreed one by one. Since the purchase of the Varyag is a corporate act, the Chinese government has provided a guarantee and fully bears the cost of safety insurance for the Varyag through the strait and compensation in case of losses. It has also decided to dispatch several high-horsepower tugboats from China to assist in towing. OK.

As all conditions were negotiated, the Turkish National Security Council made a resolution on August 25, 2001, agreeing to allow the passage of the Varyag. The Turkish government informed the Chinese government of the results of the passage. At the same time, 20 safety measures proposed by the Turkish Maritime Agency were submitted to China. These 20 safety measures include the need for 16 high-horsepower tugboats, guaranteed by an internationally recognized insurance claims company, and the preparation of a risk deposit of US$1 billion, etc. Wait, just when China was worried about this, Greece helped China at a critical moment. They stepped forward to become a guarantor of China's funds and security, and decided to provide strong assistance with technology and tugboats. The reason why Greece's help and Guarantee ensured the smooth passage of the Varyag.

It can be said that Greece is an old friend of China. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972, the relationship has been good and there is no fundamental conflict of interest. Of course, Greece has taken a fancy to China's huge market and potential, and they can't stand it either. Turkey made things difficult for China in every possible way, so it came to help. Afterwards, in 2010, Greece encountered a serious debt crisis. The United States, Japan, Europe and other countries were shunned by Greece. Only China extended a helping hand to Greece and carried out numerous measures. An investment of one billion euros can be said to be a timely help, and the investment will be rewarded.

When it comes to Turkey preventing the passage of the Varyag, on the one hand it must be political pressure from Western countries. On the other hand, safety measures are indeed necessary. If there was only one tugboat towing the Varyag at that time, The Liangge was allowed to pass through the strait, but it encountered a storm, and the consequences were unimaginable. On November 3, 2001, when it was towed by 6 tugboats, it encountered an unprecedented storm. The tugboats were towed one after another. After being scraped off, the Varyag lost control like a wild horse on the sea and ran rampant. Later, Greek rescuers tried their best to save the ship before they took control of the ship, and a Greek crew member was sacrificed for this.

Although Chuanglu Group purchased the Varyag in the name of tourism, hostile countries will definitely be wary of the real purpose behind it. Greece is not only a European country, but also a member of NATO. They Being able to make a decision to help China requires a lot of pressure. For this reason, the Chinese people will never forget Greece’s help. In recent years, China has increased its investment in Greece, and Chinese tourists have also traveled to Greece in large numbers. Greece's economic recovery and development have provided great help.