Xi Jinping, Slovak President elevate strategic partnership, expand cooperation

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday held talks with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini in Beijing, with both leaders agreeing to deepen their strategic partnership and expand cooperation in emerging technologies, trade and multilateral affairs.

Welcoming President Pellegrini on his state visit to China, President Xi said Beijing was ready to work with Slovakia to build a strategic partnership based on mutual respect, trust, equality, mutual benefit, stability and resilience.

Xi emphasized that mutual respect for each other's development paths and a firm commitment to friendship and cooperation had underpinned the steady growth of China-Slovakia relations. He commended Slovakia for adhering to the one-China principle and reaffirmed China's commitment to supporting each other's core interests and major concerns.

Calling for greater economic cooperation, Xi urged both countries to unlock new opportunities in clean energy, the digital economy, robotics and artificial intelligence, describing these sectors as new drivers of bilateral cooperation.

He also called for expanding exchanges in culture, sports, tourism, youth and sub-national cooperation, while facilitating greater people-to-people connectivity through easier travel between the two countries.

On international affairs, Xi said China and Slovakia should jointly uphold the United Nations-centered international system and the international order based on international law. He stressed the need to promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive form of economic globalization that benefits all countries.

The Chinese president reiterated that China viewed the European Union as a partner and sought to develop relations with the bloc in a spirit of sincerity and goodwill. He expressed hope that Slovakia would play a constructive role in promoting the stable and healthy development of China-EU relations.

President Pellegrini reaffirmed Slovakia's commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with China and expressed interest in expanding cooperation in trade, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, robotics and new energy technologies. He welcomed greater Chinese investment in Slovakia to further deepen economic ties.

As a member of the European Union, Pellegrini said Slovakia would actively promote dialogue and consultation between the EU and China to properly manage differences and enhance mutually beneficial cooperation.

He also pledged to work closely with China in upholding multilateralism, safeguarding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and promoting regional and global peace and stability.

The Slovak president further expressed his country's willingness to strengthen coordination with China on global governance of artificial intelligence.

Prior to the talks, President Xi hosted an official welcome ceremony for President Pellegrini, followed by a state banquet in his honour.

Xi urges pooling strength of overseas Chinese to build strong country

Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged pooling the strength of overseas Chinese and those who have returned to China to contribute to building China into a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in an instruction on work related to Chinese nationals overseas.

More than 60 million Chinese residing in nearly 200 countries and regions, together with over 40 million returned overseas Chinese and their family members in China, have helped drive China's development while promoting Chinese culture and deepening international exchanges and cooperation.

Xi called for fully implementing the Party's policies on work related to Chinese nationals overseas and encouraging overseas Chinese, as well as returned overseas Chinese and their families, to leverage their unique strengths in support of the cause of national reunification.

The national conference on work related to Chinese nationals overseas was held in Beijing from Monday to Tuesday, during which Xi's instruction was conveyed.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attended the conference and delivered a speech.

Xi's instruction sets the direction and provides important guidance for work related to Chinese nationals overseas on the new journey in the new era, Wang said, urging efforts to promote the high-quality development in the field in the new era.