Xi’s first CEE visit to Czech Republic

MARCH 27, 2016 | EDIT

China will work with the international community to ensure the success of the upcoming Nuclear Security Summit, Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong said Thursday.

Li made the remarks at a press briefing on President Xi Jinping’s attendance at the fourth Nuclear Security Summit, which will be held in Washington, the United States, from March 31 to April 1

Chinese President  Xi Jinping on a state visit to the Czech Republic from March 28 to 30. China’s head of state to the Czech Republic since the two nations established diplomatic relations 67 years ago, as significant, the commentary said that the people in both countries are expecting the visit to push the Sino-Czech relations to a new level.

Xi’s visit to the Czech Republic will be the first state visit by a Chinese president in 67 years since the two countries established diplomatic ties, his first to Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) as head of state, and his first trip to Europe this year. This visit demonstrates the significance of the country as China’s key cooperation partner in the CEE region.

As a major country not only in the CEE region but also in the European Union (EU), the Czech Republic has a unique geopolitical status.

Poland to the north and  Germany   to the west, the landlocked country plays the role of a “bridge” between Eastern Europe and Western Europe both geographically and politically.

The presidency of the Visegrad Group, the Czech Republic is a member country of NATO, and in the meantime, also belongs to the Shengen region.

The CEE countries, the country could play a vital and positive role under the framework of China-CEE cooperation  the so called “16+1” mechanism, as well as under the broader framework of China-EU cooperation.

Xi’s upcoming visit will bring a brighter future for the development of friendly relations between China and the CEE countries, and even Europe as a whole.

Chinese President  Xi Jinping visit is expected to boost the integration of the major development strategies of China and Europe, and expand cooperation between China and CEE countries.