Chinese 'Belt and Road' initiative and Polish national development plans provide opportunities for both countries: Polish Ambassador to China

Recently, Mr Mirosław Gajewski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the People's Republic of China, talked about topics, including details of President Xi Jinping’s visit to Poland last June, Poland-China relations, "Belt and Road" initiative and Polish companies’ development in China, in an exclusive video interview with Guangming Online (http://en.gmw.cn/).

As for Poland-China relations, Ambassador Gajewski pointed out the very high dynamic in Poland-China relations over the past year. The two countries have witnessed exchanges of visits by Presidents and Foreign Ministers, as well as a number of other visits, creating a very good political climate for the development of their relations. President Xi’s visit to Poland will promote further cooperation in new areas.

When talking about President Xi Jinping’s visit to Poland last June, Mr Gajewski shared some interesting details, for example a performance by a Polish song and dance group singing Chinese songs in Chinese for President Xi and the Chinese First Lady. One of the most iconic pictures from the visit will be that of the Chinese President tasting Polish apples. The presidential visit will help Polish apples, which are the tastiest, cheapest and healthiest in Europe, to get access to the Chinese market, the Ambassador said.

According to Mr Gajewski, the Chinese "Belt and Road" initiative and Polish national development plans can provide opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. Polish and Chinese companies can work together along the "Belt and Road", furthermore, this initiative can also boost cooperation in people-to-people exchanges, environmental protection and the promotion of eco-civilization.

The "Belt and Road" initiative is a bridge for strategic and long-term integration of China and Europe, which not only includes economic component, but also is an opportunity to develop cooperation in culture, tourism, students exchanges as well as security and stability along the "Belt and Road", Mirosław Gajewski said. Poland welcomes China’s contribution to the security and stability along the "Belt and Road".

The Polish Ambassador also discussed the assistance provided by the Embassy to Polish companies entering the Chinese market. "Polish commercial offices in China provides support and any kind of assistance needed to Polish companies present in Chinese market", he said.

Asked about problems that Polish enterprises encounter in China, Mr Gajewski said that they are usually rooted in lack of knowledge of local realities. One of the Embassy’s tasks is providing information on China’s legal system to Polish companies. In the Ambassador’s view, well-educated persons who can speak both Polish and Chinese and are familiar with realities and business practices in both countries will be instrumental in helping Polish companies do business in China.