Financial cooperation, investments in industry, science and research cooperation, tourism and consequential transportation were key topics at the China Investment Forum 2015 (CIF 2015) held from 9th to 11th November 2015 at the Prague Castle. This forum, titled Opportunities and Challenges of the “New Silk Road of the 21st century – One Belt, One Road”, was attended by guests from the Czech Republic (CR), other Central and Eastern Europe Countries (CEEC) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Just like in the previous years the CIF 2015 has become an important event in the relations not only between the Czech Republic and China but also between the PRC and other CEE countries. Meetings and discussions within the forum laid foundations for new cooperation in many areas and deepened existing collaboration. The most discussed topics were new agenda of financial cooperation as the initial bridge for other investors and entrepreneurs to the central European market and the potential of Prague as Chinese financial center of China for CEE. Other topics included new air connection between Prague and China as well as using potential of Prague as a hub for connections between CEE countries and China. This would constitute an exceptional opportunity for aviation as well as for development in tourism or other business cooperation.
The CIF 2015 was held under the auspices of Milos Zeman, President of the CR, and Bohuslav Sobotka, Prime Minister of the CR. The highest ranking person from China was Mr. DU Qinglin, Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
“We are beginning a new era of our traditional friendship,” said DU Qinglin. He added that the year 2015 is very important for 16+1 platform, it should see updates and improvement of the mutual collaboration scope. He also expressed his gratitude for long-term efforts to expand the friendship between China and CEE countries in this format.
“The Czech Republic highly appreciates the effective cooperation within the 16+1 platform and I am delighted to say that our country is one of the group main leaders,” said Bohuslav Sobotka, Prime Minister of the CR, in his speech. He appreciated that the extraordinary successes in cooperation between China and CEEC included the Local Leaders Meeting 2014 or the Health Ministers Meeting 2015 and also the intensive mutual visits of political and regional delegations. “I am very glad to see excellent relationships not only between politicians at all levels but also in specific projects of pragmatic cooperation,” said Bohuslav Sobotka.
The CIF 2015 welcomed more than 700 guests from China and the CEE countries including the CR.
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