Polish President Andrzej Duda and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, have signed a universal strategic partnership pact between the two countries on Monday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on an official visit to Warsaw. President Andrzej Duda (R) and the Chinese leader (L) attending a plenary discussion held between the two delegations in Warsaw. Photo: PAP/Jacek Turczyk

The Chinese leader is in the Polish capital for top-level talks centered on boosting trade and strengthening bilateral economic collaboration.

“It’s an important sign,” President Duda said of the newly signed universal strategic partnership agreement, speaking at a joint press conference on Monday.

“I hope that Poland will become China’s veritable gateway to Europe, not only in symbolic but also in economic terms, and that joint investment projects will be launched,” Duda told journalists.

During his official visit to Poland, Chinese leader Xi Jinping is to hold meetings with Prime Minister Beata Szydło and the speakers of the Upper and Lower Houses of the Polish Parliament.

The presidents are to inaugurate the International New Silk Road Forum and take part in the Polish-Chinese Regional Forum.

They will also officially open the so-called China Railway Express, as the first freight train travelling from Chengdu, Sichuan province, is to be officially welcomed in Warsaw. The cargo train is to mark a new era for overland transportation between China and Europe.

The presidential visit coincides with the Polish-Chinese economic forum, where entrepreneurs of the two countries signed a number of agreements tightening relations. The gathering also saw the signing of a deal on collaboration between the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency (PAIiIZ) and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). (aba)

Source: IAR, PAP