Chinese ambassador says Xi's Prague trip will be a landmark moment in China-Europe relations

President Xi Jinping's visit to the Czech Republic is of both "strategic and pragmatic" significance, as it is designed to boost political trust and synergize their agendas and economic priorities, according to the Chinese ambassador.

"Based on my understanding of the status of bilateral relations and the detailed arrangements for Xi's visit, it will be a trailblazing event for both sides," said Ma Keqing in an exclusive interview with China Daily.

The Czech Republic is the only country Xi will visit before he attends the World Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC. Czech President Milos Zeman visited China in September and Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka visited in November.

Ma said that, in the past two years, relations have been "accelerating" with more frequent high-level dialogues, unprecedented trade and investment, and growing people-to-people exchanges.

"Our relations are in the best period ever," she said in Prague.

Xi's visit to the Czech Republic is the first by a Chinese president since the two sides established diplomatic ties, as well as his first trip to Central and Eastern Europe since taking office in 2013.

"This visit has attracted a lot of attention," Ma said. "It will become a landmark visit to boost relations with Central and Eastern Europe."

She said the visit aims to boost pragmatic cooperation by seeking synergies in each other's megaprojects to implement China's Belt and Road Initiative.

"The Czechs have responded actively to echo President Xi's Belt and Road Initiative to boost connectivity. They have treated it as a chance to take on China's train of development and further stimulate its economy."

In November, when Sobotka visited Beijing, both countries signed an agreement to cooperate on the initiative. It is expected that both countries will devise an action plan to further deepen cooperation in this regard during Xi's visit.

Following on from Pakistan, Indonesia, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Hungary, Poland and other countries, the Czech Republic is expected to become a new forerunner in the Belt and Road Initiative, which Xi proposed three years ago. Official figures show more than 70 countries have agreed to join this initiative, and more than 30 countries have signed cooperation agreements.

"The Czech Republic is a European power in terms of manufacturing and industry, and there is great potential for both sides to work together to improve connectivity," Ma said.

The country has also proposed making Prague China's financial center for Central and Eastern Europe, which the ambassador said has been welcomed. She added that China is also willing to discuss the feasibility of setting up a renminbi settlement mechanism in the Czech capital.

"Such a mechanism is necessary as trade and investment between China and countries in Central and Eastern Europe are growing rapidly," she said.

Ma said she is confident both countries will deepen cooperation in various areas because there is a strong political will, vision and courage.

"The people in both countries have already boosted mutual understanding. A recent poll shows more than 70 percent of Czechs support further development of the bilateral relationship."

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