Chinese President Xi Jinping calls for greater ties with Europe as he heads to Czech Republic
Ahead of his first state visit to the Czech Republic, President Xi Jinping called for the strengthening of relations between China and the European Union.
In a signed article published in the Czech paper Pravo on Saturday, Xi said China and the Czech Republic should “enhance mutual political trust”, and “firmly support” each other on issues concerning core interests.
“We should step up regional cooperation by bringing into play the role of multilateral platforms,” he wrote.
China and the EU should “follow the trend of peace, development and win-win cooperation”, he added.
Xi Jinping’s visit to Czech Republic raises hopes for European grand canal project
Xi is staying in the Czech Republic from today until Wednesday, and will visit Prague Castle and Chateau Lany – the official presidential residences in the capital and the countryside.
The visit is his first trip to a Central and Eastern European country since he assumed the presidency.
Observers said the agenda for Xi and his Czech counterpart Milos Zeman would include the issue of Chinese investment in the Danube-Oder-Elbe Canal. Investment in the first phase of the canal is expected to total 1 billion euros (HK$8.66 billion).
On Saturday, ahead of Xi’s visit, dozens of Chinese flags that had been hung up in the streets of Prague in recent days were defaced.
Demonstrators who oppose Beijing’s policies in Tibet are expected to stage several protests during Xi’s trip.
In his article, Xi said the two nations should “upgrade” their bilateral ties, and “set the right direction” for their relations.
Bilateral trade between the two nations reached US$11 billion last year. This year they have signed deals on cooperation in nuclear power, finance, aviation and agriculture.
Following the visit, Xi will head to Washington for a nuclear security summit.
