China-Czech ties to leap forward after Xi's trip
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E-mail People's Daily, March 25, 2016
On the eve of Chinese President Xi Jinping's three-day state visit to the Czech Republic next Monday, the People's Daily published a commentary on the visit, saying his trip will elevate China-Czech ties to a new high and inject impetus to collaboration between China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC).
Xi's visit, on invitation of Czech President Milos Zeman, will be the first by a Chinese head of state since the two nations established diplomatic ties 67 years ago.
The trip also arrives at a new stage in bilateral ties. The article illustrated that with bilateral trade volume in 2015 totaling at $11 billion, the Czech Republic is now China's second-largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe, while China is the largest trading partner of Czech Republic outside the EU.
In addition, the country is a major regional investment destination for Chinese enterprises. China has invested over $700 million in the country, accounting for 14 percent of its total investment in Central and Eastern Europe.
As an industrial country, the Czech Republic boasts rich industrial resources, sound infrastructure and well-educated citizens, which offer huge potential for China-Czech collaborations in manufacturing, nuclear energy and infrastructure.
Moreover, historic opportunities in bilateral cooperation are abound in building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, the commentary stressed.
Both sides signed a memorandum of understanding on building the routes last November.
Located at the center of Europe, the Czech Republic offers strong infrastructure in railway, road, air and sea transport. The construction of the routes will push cooperation to new highs by providing them unprecedented opportunities in docking their development strategies, plans and policies.
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