Poland’s President Andrzej Duda met with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Sunday at the Great People’s Palace in Beijing, where it is understood a desire for cooperation between the two countries was underlined, which include new trade initiatives.
Duda’s meeting with Xi Jinping followed the Polish president’s attendance at the opening ceremony of the 24th Winter Olympics in the Chinese capital on Friday.
In a statement published by the Chinese side about the meeting on Sunday morning, it was highlighted that the Duda’s visit had “shown that the China-Poland friendship can stand the test of the ever-changing international situation and embodied the two sides’ commitment to the Olympic spirit.”
A clear will to “work together” was expressed, according to the statement, “to lead the sound, stable and sustained development of China-Poland relations to the benefits of the two peoples.
“The two sides need to respect and accommodate each other’s core interests and major concerns, enhance communication on major international issues, firmly uphold the international system and basic norms governing international relations, and safeguard the common interests of the vast majority of the members of the international community,” President Xi said.
The Chinese side also highlighted the need to agree on development strategy, including the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, and confirmed China’s readiness to “take an active part in Poland’s endeavor to build itself into a logistic hub and to support Poland’s effort to become a key point in the China-EU industrial supply chain.”
President Duda highlighted that “recent years have seen sound development of Poland-China comprehensive strategic partnership across the board,” and conveyed Poland’s gratitude to China for medical supplies in combating the coronavirus pandemic during the talks.
The meeting between the two presidents also comes amid concerns over a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine, with which NATO member Poland shares a lengthy border. Before the meeting, Duda stated that he would use it to present a “European perspective” on the increased tensions over Ukraine.
Poland was the only European Union nation to send an elected leader to the Olympic Games despite a U.S.-led diplomatic boycott.
President Xi pointed out that the Polish president’s special trip to China to fulfill the “Winter Olympics promise” made five years ago shows that China-Poland friendship can withstand the test of international changes and both sides adhere to the Olympic spirit. “China and Poland are friends who honor commitments,” he said.
On Saturday, Duda also met in Beijing with U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
