Maria Spiliopoulou Journalist Profile

Articles

China-Greece wind power collaboration boosts renewable energy transition

Jan 25, 2025 | english.news.cn | Maria Spiliopoulou

By Maria Spiliopoulou ATHENS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Four wind farms nestled in the mountains of northern Greece have become prominent landmarks in the area. These wind farms are part of the Thrace Wind Power Project, led by China Energy Guohua Investment Europe Renewable Energy S.A.. Since commencing operations in 2019, the project has generated approximately 160 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, supplying power to more than 30,000 households in Greece.
Shanghai, Athens forge partnership with twinning agreement

Jan 23, 2025 | thestar.com.my | Maria Spiliopoulou

ATHENS, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Athens and Shanghai formalized their partnership on Thursday by signing a twinning agreement to enhance cooperation in multiple sectors. The agreement was signed in Athens by Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng and Athens Mayor Haris Doukas. According to a press release from the City of Athens, the partnership focuses on collaboration in tourism, culture, sports, entrepreneurship, innovation, education, and climate action.
Cold weather hits Greece, causing traffic disruptions, floods

Jan 13, 2025 | thestar.com.my | Maria Spiliopoulou

ATHENS, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Greece has been in the grip of a cold weather front since Sunday with heavy rainfall and snowfall that have caused traffic disruptions and flooding in parts of the country, authorities said on Monday. In Athens, sections of Alimos seaside southern suburb flooded on Monday due to strong showers, while roads leading to Mount Parnitha in the northern suburbs were closed to traffic due to snowfall, according to the Fire Brigade.
1st LD Writethru: Migrant boat sinks off Greek island, 8 dead

Nov 25, 2024 | thestar.com.my | Maria Spiliopoulou

ATHENS, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Six children and two women have died after a migrant boat capsized off the Greek island of Samos on Monday, sparking renewed calls for enhanced cross-border efforts to combat illegal migration, the Hellenic Coast Guard reported. A total of 39 individuals have been rescued, though the exact number of people on board and their nationalities remain unknown, according to coast guard sources.
Greece gripped by 24-hour general strike

Nov 20, 2024 | thestar.com.my | Maria Spiliopoulou

ATHENS, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Walkouts by staff across Greece's public and private sector were seen on Wednesday, as labor unions called a 24-hour nationwide general strike over the cost of living and inadequate salary increases. Tens of thousands of protesters marched in the center of Athens, in a rally organized by the umbrella unions for public and private sector workers, ADEDY and GSEE respectively. Other labor unions also took part.
Greek GDP expected to grow by 2.3 pct in 2025: budget

Nov 20, 2024 | thestar.com.my | Maria Spiliopoulou |Chen Gang

ATHENS, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Greek gross domestic product (GPD) is expected to grow by 2.3 percent in 2025, according to the draft budget submitted to the parliament on Wednesday. The budget presented by Minister for National Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis also projected a 2.2 percent GDP increase for 2024. "The Greek economy is proving to be resilient in an unfavorable and uncertain international environment," the budget noted.
Exhibition on cultural legacy of Beijing's "Double Olympics" launched in Athens

Nov 12, 2024 | thestar.com.my | Maria Spiliopoulou |Chen Gang

ATHENS, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- A thematic exhibition on the cultural legacy of Beijing's "Double Olympics" was launched in Athens on Monday evening. Greek and Chinese officials, artists, representatives of sports and ordinary citizens attended the event hosted at the Serafio sports center in Athens, praising the links between the two countries through the Olympic movement and culture.
Greek fireman dies in wildfire in northern Greece

Nov 10, 2024 | thestar.com.my | Maria Spiliopoulou |Chen Gang

ATHENS, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- A 55-year-old Greek fireman died Sunday while battling a wildfire in northern Greece on the outskirts of Thessaloniki port city, Greece's Fire Brigade said. The fire, which was not threatening residential zones, had burned an uncertain area of low vegetation. This was the sixth wildfire-related death in Greece this year. Although the wildfire season typically spans May 1 through Oct.
Feature: Dramatic shift in perspective on China for Greek theatre troupe

Oct 19, 2024 | english.news.cn | Maria Spiliopoulou

By Maria Spiliopoulou ATHENS, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Members of a Greek theater company that recently returned from their first tour of China have described how the trip dramatically changed their preconceptions of the country. "The Railway Carriage Theater to Treno sto Rouf" from Athens has been taking audiences on magical journeys aboard an antique train wagon since 1997.
Feature: Greek drivers shift to electric vehicles, embrace Chinese brands

Oct 5, 2024 | thestar.com.my | Maria Spiliopoulou

by Maria Spiliopoulou ATHENS, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese electric vehicles stole the spotlight at Greece's largest automotive exhibition which opened in Athens on Saturday, reflecting the growing interest of Greeks in electromobility and models made in China. BYD's stand was the first at the entrance of the eight-day "Auto Athina 2024" expo, which showcases over 200 new models -- conventional running on fossil fuels, hybrid and fully electric -- by some 40 exhibitors.