ATHENS, June 7 (Xinhua) -- The future of Sino-Greek cooperation in the shipping sector is bright, against the backdrop of various uncertainties including the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the organizer of a renowned shipping event.

"China has been a big investor in Greece in the last few years," said Theodore Vokos, managing director of Posidonia Exhibitions S.A. which runs the Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition.

Greece and China have enjoyed a good friendship and longstanding relationship, and cooperation between the two countries can only grow further, he told Xinhua on Tuesday in Athens.

"Greeks will continue investing in new ships and building them in China. The Chinese shipyards are bettering and furthering their technology, so I think the future looks bright," he said.

The biennial week-long Posidonia exhibition was inaugurated Monday evening by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, after a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is the largest event in the expo's 54-year-long history, with a total of 1,948 exhibitors from 88 countries and regions exhibiting their products and services this year, according to the organizers.

"Despite the odds, we are very happy to also welcome back Chinese participation. Almost all of them are on board stronger than ever, showcasing their technology and their products to the world and renewing their friendship with the Greek ship owning community," Vokos said.

About 130 companies from China participated in the event, ranging from small manufacturers to leading shipyards and Chinas' COSCO Shipping.

COSCO acquired a majority stake in Piraeus Port Authority S.A. (PPA) in 2016, while the group's subsidiary, Piraeus Container Terminal S.A. (PCT), manages the port's container terminal since 2009.