BEIJING, July 28 (Tuesday) — Chinese President Xi Jinping held official talks with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday morning, reaffirming the two countries’ commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership and expanding cooperation across a wide range of sectors.
During the meeting, President Xi noted that Slovakia was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, adding that the friendship between the two nations has deep historical roots. He recalled that bilateral ties were elevated to a strategic partnership in 2024, emphasizing that, through the joint efforts of both sides, political mutual trust has continued to deepen while practical cooperation has delivered tangible results.
Xi stressed that the next phase of bilateral relations should focus on four key priorities. First, the two countries should consolidate strategic mutual trust and continue to firmly support each other’s core interests. Second, they should deepen mutually beneficial cooperation to accelerate shared development. Third, they should strengthen people-to-people exchanges and carry forward their longstanding friendship. Fourth, they should jointly uphold international fairness and justice while promoting reforms and improvements to the global governance system.
The Chinese president said the world is undergoing profound and rapid transformation, presenting China-Europe relations with both significant opportunities and considerable challenges. He underscored the importance of turning challenges into opportunities through dialogue and consultation. Xi reiterated that China has consistently regarded the European Union as a partner and remains committed to enhancing relations with Europe based on mutual trust, sincerity and goodwill.
He also expressed hope that Slovakia would play a constructive role within the European Union by promoting consensus on China-Europe relations, helping bridge differences through dialogue and contributing to the healthy and stable development of China-EU ties.
In response, President Pellegrini said Slovakia highly values its strategic partnership with China and remains firmly committed to the one-China principle. He expressed his country’s willingness to strengthen political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, deepen bilateral friendship and explore new areas of collaboration. He highlighted particular interest in enhancing cooperation in trade and investment, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, robotics and new energy.
Pellegrini added that, as a member of the European Union, Slovakia is committed to advancing Europe-China cooperation and resolving differences through dialogue and consultation. He said Slovakia highly appreciates China’s growing international standing and influence and is ready to work closely with China in upholding multilateralism, safeguarding the purposes of the United Nations Charter and international law, and promoting regional and global peace and stability.
The Slovak president also voiced his country’s full support for the concepts and initiatives proposed by President Xi at the recently concluded World Artificial Intelligence Conference, saying they are genuinely aimed at advancing the well-being of humanity.
Source: Prema-Alim-Cai, China Media Group (CMG).