2016年CRI Xi Jinping's Visit to Czech to Boost Bilateral Ties（在线收听）

Chinese ambassador to the Czech Republic Ma Keqing says she believes President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to the country will open a new era of cooperation between China and Central & Eastern Europe.

"It is the first visit by a Chinese head of state to the Czech Republic since the two countries established diplomatic relations 67 years ago. So I think President Xi's visit will be historic for bilateral ties. It is also President Xi's first visit to a Central and Eastern European country, which shows that China now attaches great importance to the region and the "16+1" cooperation mechanism."

The "16+1" mechanism refers to cooperation between China and the 16 central and eastern European countries.

During Xi Jinping's stay in the Czech Republic, the two sides are to exchange views on bilateral relations, the Belt and Road Initiative, cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries, and other international and regional issues of common concern.

Ambassador Ma Keqing notes also that the Czech Republic will play an important role in China's "Belt and Road" Initiative for two reasons.

"First, the Czech Republic lies in the very center of Europe which provides the country with geographical advantages. Secondly, the Czech Republic is a traditional industrial country with expertise in the automobile, machinery manufacturing, electronic products, communications and environmental protection sectors."

The ambassador added that the two countries are expected to elevate their relationship to the strategic level, and enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields including finance, nuclear power, civil aviation and tourism.

During his time in the Czech capital Prague, Chinese President Xi Jinping will observe the twinning of the two countries' capitals as sister-cities.

Adriana Krnacova, the mayor of Prague, will confer a key to the city on the Chinese President as a special token.

"The key represents deeper friendship and shows to those whom the key is given, that they are welcome in the city of Prague and they should feel at home. This is the replica of one of the keys of the Prague gates. It means that the door is open to a friend."

The mayor says the "sister-city" relationship between the two capitals will help enhance cooperation in such fields as tourism, culture, and education.

"First of all I think this is a big opportunity to make educational exchanges, for students to travel back and forth and learn from each other. The second is, last year we opened direct flights to Beijing. And beside this fact I think also in other areas we can expect cooperation, for example, in culture, healthcare."

Meanwhile, a number of cooperation agreements covering areas such as the economy and trade, infrastructure and finance are also to be signed during Xi Jinping's visit the Czech Republic.

For CRI, this is Luo Wen.