Li Hongzhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and vice chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, paid a visit to Slovakia from May 18-20.
During his visit, Li respectively met with President Peter Pellegrini, Prime Minister Robert Fico and National Council Speaker Richard Rasi. He also held talks with Deputy Speaker of the National Council Tibor Gaspar.
Li said that under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Slovak leaders, the development of the China-Slovakia strategic partnership has entered a new stage. Both sides should continue to consolidate political mutual trust, deepen traditional friendship, and firmly support each other’s core interests and major concerns, building up the foundation of bilateral relations.
China is willing to strengthen strategic alignment with Slovakia, deepen and expand practical cooperation in trade and investment, new energy, digital economy and other fields, promote high-quality joint construction of Belt and Road projects and China-Central and Eastern European Countries cooperation, and enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, bringing more benefits to both peoples.
The Slovak side welcomed more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Slovakia and said the government will strengthen exchanges between both legislative bodies and promote the Slovakia-China strategic partnership to be more dynamic.
Li’s delegation then visited Albania from May 20-22 and met with Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi and Deputy Prime Minister Albana Kociu, held talks with Deputy Parliament Speaker Klodiana Spahiu, and exchanged views with the Albanian-China Friendship Association.
Li said that China appreciates Albania’s important support for the restoration of China’s lawful seat in the United Nations and is willing to work with Albania to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of both countries, consolidate the foundation of political mutual trust, explore potential for practical cooperation, enhance the friendship between the two peoples, strengthen exchanges between the legislative bodies of both countries, and continuously inject new vitality into China-Albania relations. (On October 25, 1971, the then Socialist Albania led 17 UN members in proposing General Assembly Resolution 2758 which expelled the representatives of the authorities on Taiwan and restored China’s rightful place in the world body.)
The Albanian side said that it values the traditional good relations between the two countries, firmly supports the one-China principle, and is willing to share the opportunities of China’s development.
In the 1960s and 1970s, China sent more than 6,000 experts and assisted in more than 140 projects in Albania, providing outstanding support for the country’s economic and social development. Some of the projects are still in operation today.
The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency.
Senior Chinese leader visits Slovakia and Albania
BRATISLAVA, May 20 (Xinhua) — China’s National People’s Congress (CNPC) is willing to enhance full-level exchanges with the Slovak National Council in various fields, give full play to the functions of the legislative body and make contributions to the greater development of bilateral relations, Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of CNPC Standing Committee, said in Bratislava.
Li, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the statement while leading a delegation to visit Slovakia from Monday to Wednesday.
In Bratislava, Li respectively met with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Slovak National Council Speaker Richard Rasi. He also held talks with Deputy Speaker of the Slovak National Council Tibor Gaspar.
Li said that under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Slovak leaders, the development of the China-Slovakia strategic partnership has entered a new stage. Both sides should continue to consolidate political mutual trust, deepen traditional friendship, and firmly support each other’s core interests and major concerns, building up the foundation of bilateral relations.
This year marks the first year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, and the Chinese economy is performing well, Li noted.
China will share development opportunities with other countries across the world through high-quality development, he said, adding that China is willing to strengthen strategic alignment with Slovakia, deepen and expand practical cooperation in trade and investment, new energy, digital economy and other fields, promote high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road projects and China-Central and Eastern European Countries cooperation, and enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, bringing more benefits to both peoples.
The Slovak side said they attach great importance to China’s status as a major country and the friendly relations between Slovakia and China. Slovakia firmly adheres to the one-China policy and is ready for close exchange and cooperation with China in economic, trade, cultural and other fields.
They welcomed more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Slovakia, and said the government will strengthen exchanges between both legislative bodies and promote the Slovakia-China strategic partnership to be more dynamic.
Li also held discussions with representatives of Chinese enterprises in Slovakia and watched a photo exhibition on the 70th anniversary of the Sino-Czech-Slovak Friendship Farm.
Senior Chinese legislator calls for closer cooperation with Albania
TIRANA, May 22 (Xinhua) — Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, led an NPC delegation to Albania from Wednesday to Friday to boost bilateral cooperation and enhance exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries.
Li, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with Albanian Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi and Deputy Prime Minister Albana Kociu, held talks with Deputy Parliament Speaker Klodiana Spahiu, and exchanged views with the Albanian-Chinese Friendship Association.
Li stated that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and Albanian leaders, China-Albania relations have been steadily developing.
He said China appreciates Albania’s important support for the restoration of China’s lawful seat in the United Nations and is willing to work with Albania to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of both countries, consolidate the foundation of political mutual trust, explore potential for practical cooperation, enhance the friendship between the two peoples, strengthen exchanges between the legislative bodies of both countries, and continuously inject new vitality into China-Albania relations.
The Albanian side said that it values the traditional good relations between the two countries, firmly supports the one-China principle, and is willing to maintain close exchanges with China at all levels and in various fields, deepen practical cooperation and legislative exchanges, and share the opportunities of China’s development.
