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Experts: China, Czech Republic cooperation "exemplary" for promoting Belt and Road Initiative

Xinhua, March 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

The cooperation mapped out during President Xi Jinping's visit to the Czech Republic this week can inspire other European countries to work together to boost international relations, according to analysts.

The Czech Republic was one of the first countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) to sign a memorandum of understanding with China regarding the Belt and Road Initiative.

"Although the Czech Republic is a small country, it can play a pivotal and paradigm role given its distinctive geographic position as a 'bridge' in the Eurasian landmass and its strong willingness to participate in the initiative," said Zhao Junjie, a senior research fellow at the Institute of European Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on jointly promoting the Belt and Road Initiative last November.

The Czech Republic is committed to becoming a gateway for China to the Europe and a hub of transportation, logistics and financial in China-EU trade, said Milos Zeman, president of the Czech Republic, during his talks with Xi in Prague.

Though strong in manufacturing and heavy industry, the Czech Republic lacks funding and technology for high-speed railways and nuclear energy. China can help in this regard, said Zhao.

For many years, China has been the Czech Republic's largest trading partner outside the EU and the Czech Republic China's second largest trading partner in the CEE. In 2015, bilateral trade topped 11 billion U.S. dollars.

"The two countries are quite complementary in economic cooperation. For instance, the Czech Republic is strong in aircraft manufacturing and China is strong in industrial parks. The two presidents agreed to strengthen cooperation in these two fields," said Cui Hongjian, a senior research fellow on European studies at the China Institute of International Studies.

The agreement is consistent with China's approach to tailoring cooperation to different countries' needs, according to Cui.

Chen Fengying, a researcher with the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, agreed. "The speed at which projects are taking shape under the Belt and Road Initiative is due to its flexibility and openness. Countries along the Belt and Road can really work with China on aligning development strategies," Chen said. Endi