Prague, March 18 (CTK) – A joint statement establishing strategic partnership between the Czech Republic and China will be the main result of the forthcoming visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Czech Republic, according to information CTK has received.
A number of memorandums of cooperation in investments, finances, aviation and health care are expected to be signed.
Xi Jinping will visit the Czech Republic on March 28-30. This will be the first visit by a Chinese head of state both to the Czech Republic and former Czechoslovakia.
“The visit will complete the process of enhancement of the political dialogue that started with the working visit of the Czech foreign minister [Lubomir Zaoralek, Social Democrats, CSSD] to China in April 2014,” a report for government meetings say.
The release of a joint declaration of strategic partnership is to be the main result of Xi Jinping’s visit.
A strategic dialogue should be conducted within the framework of an inter-governmental consultation platform that will conducted by the Czech Foreign Ministry.
“Within the strategic partnership, both countries are expressing the will to increase cooperation in a number of spheres such as the industrial production, science and research, aviation, health care, agriculture, energy production, culture, education, sport and tourism,” the document said.
The declaration will include enhancement of cooperation in the sphere of finances, including the Czech Republic’s interest in becoming a center for Chinese financial institutions in the region, as one of the “current priorities.”
“The Czech Republic’s becoming a transport and logistics hub for air connection between China and the region of central, eastern and southeastern Europe is another priority,” the document said.
The text of the joint declaration should not go beyond the earlier statement by foreign ministers from April 2014. In it, the Czech Republic confirmed its continuing policy of one China, but it also mentioned the question of support and defence of human rights.
Xi Jinping’s visit will be undoubtedly accompanied by tight security measures. Demonstrations against, but also in support of the Chinese Communist regime will be held in Prague.
Both groups have reserved for themselves tens of places in Prague to stage their rallies.
Xi Jinping is scheduled to meet President Milos Zeman and Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka (CSSD).
Zeman has said he expected Chinese investments worth 45 billion crowns and the signing of 20 agreements.
