Song said, the establishment of China-Czech strategic partnership is a strategic choice made by both sides with the future in mind, and conforms to the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples. After the outbreak of COVID-19 epidemic, General Secretary Xi Jinping and President Miloš Zeman have maintained close communication, bringing new energy to the traditional friendship between China and the Czech Republic. Regrettably, Czech Senate Speaker Milos Vystrcil recently has insisted on a so-called “visit” to Taiwan, which has grossly interfered in China’s internal affairs and severely undermined the political foundation of China-Czech relations. The Chinese side strongly condemns the move. Song reiterated the Chinese side’s principled stand on the Taiwan question, adding that the Chinese side has always advocated that all countries, regardless of size, are equal, but equality should be two-way, and respect should also be mutual. We welcome political heavyweights including the president of the Czech Republic making positive statements on the incident recently. It is hoped that the mainstream in the Czech Republic will make a clean break with Vystrcil and his ilk, adhere to the One China principle, and take concrete actions to well maintain the overall development of China-Czech relations.

Song emphatically introduced the third volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China and the important spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s speech at a meeting commending role models in the country’s fight against the COVID-19 epidemic. He appreciated the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia for its consistent and correct position on issues concerning the Chinese side’s core interests. It is hoped that the two parties will give full play to the political guidance of political parties on state-to-state relations, jointly reject Cold-War mentality and uphold multilateralism, and promote China-Czech relations to develop along the right direction.

Filip said, the Czech side attaches great importance to developing Czech-China strategic partnership. The two countries have worked together to fight COVID-19 epidemic, showing a friendship of mutual assistance. Vystrcil’s visit to Taiwan is the behaviors of a handful of people in the Czech Republic, and it will not change the Czech Republic’s policies towards China, nor does it represent the will of the Czech people. Most Czech people show active support for strengthening the friendship and cooperation with China. The Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia cherishes the traditional friendship with the CPC and highly appreciates the CPC for upholding the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, its contributions to maintaining world prosperity and stability, and promoting the development of the international communist movement. The Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia firmly supports the One-China principle, supports Chinese enterprises in actively participating in the construction of the Czech Republic in various fields, and looks forward to contributing to enhancing mutual trust between the Czech Republic and China and jointly upholding a fair and reasonable international order.

Qian Hongshan, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, was present.

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