China, Poland set to upgrade strategic partnership

"I think our relationship has already been at a level of comprehensive strategic partnership," said Xu, adding that the leaders of both sides are expected to endorse such partnership in the political document to be signed on Monday.

In recent years especially after the 2008 financial crisis, the countries in Central and East Europe have started to readjust their foreign policy after years of closely engaging the West countries. And China's economic dynamics and market have also become magnets to bring them closer.

Among the sixteen countries in the region, Poland, Hungary and the others have become active pacesetters in developing the partnership with China and other countries have vowed to catch up. And this effective cooperation framework has even attracted Switzerland as the first country with observer status of the China and Central and East Europe partnership, known as the 16+1 group, early this year.

"I believe President Xi's second visit in the region within three months has well demonstrated that how my country values the relationship between China and the sixteen countries, and the partnership between China and EU as well," said Xu.

Xu said the pragmatic cooperation between China and Poland has been smoothly implemented in recent years. And now both sides have shown great interest in exploring cooperation in infrastructural projects in Poland.

He said Poland has sought China to get involved in its airport construction, highway building and high-speed railway project. Poland has joined China-led Asia Infrastructural Investment Bank and actively supports the Belt and Road Initiative.

And recently President of AIIB Jin Liqun has visited Poland, which is seeking alternative financial sources outside EU, to fund its infrastructural projects.

"China and Poland will sign a new document on Belt and Road Initiative during Xi's visit to further narrrow down meeting points in infrastructural cooperation," said Xu.

Xu said President Xi's schedule is tightly arranged in Poland. Apart from intensive meetings and exchanges with Polish leaders, document signing ceremony and addressing various forums, Polish President Andrzej Duda has put on a specially prepared private dinner for Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan on Sunday night.

As hometown of world-renowned composer and pianist Fryderyk Francois Chopin (1810-49), Polish side has also organised a concert for Xi and his delegation on Monday night, said Xu. "And I think Chopin's compositions will be played then," said Xu.

Xu also said that Peng Liyuan will be visiting a music museum in Warsaw on Monday.

To contact the reporter:fujing@chinadaily.com.cn

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