Prime Minister Sobotka supports further development of the Czech-Chinese regional cooperation

On the third day of his working visit to the People's Republic of China, the Czech Prime Minister supported regional cooperation and promotion of Czech culture. Together with Czech Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Michaela Marksová, Prime Minister Sobotka met with the Tianjin Mayor and Provincial Party Secretary Zhejian.

Regional cooperation is playing an increasingly important role in Czech-Chinese relations. This also applies to the 16+1 platform, within which yesterday the Czech Prime Minister began a summit between Chinese officials and regional leaders from 16 countries in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. The Czech Republic was represented at the summit by 180 representatives of the Czech government, individual Czech regions and companies.

Prime Minister Sobotka and the mayor of Tianjin discussed further development of cooperation of this city of 15 million with the South Bohemian Region. With regard to support for Czech business operators, he focused on the presence of the lending company Home Credit, which runs its activities in the People’s Republic of China from Tianjin. The prime minister also visited Prague Restaurant, a Czech restaurant in China helping to promote the Czech Republic there. Prime Minister Sobotka and the Deputy Mayor of Tianjin attended a concert of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, which ceremoniously ended this year’s Czech Days 2016 event focused on promoting tourism and promoting Czech products in the Bohai region, which links the agglomeration of the cities of Beijing and Tianjin and the province of Hebei, having a total population of about 120 million. The Czech Days, an event that takes place each year in a different part of the People’s Republic of China, represents a unique opportunity to present the Czech Republic to political partners, business associations and institutions as well as to key Chinese companies with prospects for further cooperation.

The Czech Prime Minister’s visit on Saturday also included a visit to Zhejiang, a partner province of the Czech Republic’s Plzeň Region, and in the Chinese region’s capital Hangzhou the prime minister discussed support for trade, investments and tourism. The province of Zhejian is one of the most prosperous regions in the People’s Republic of China and is an important centre of the Chinese economy with a diverse industrial base. It has major business potential, and it provides interesting opportunities for our companies as well as opportunities for sharing experience. There are many Czech companies doing business in the province, such as Škoda Auto, Alpine Pro, Preciosa, Petrof and Lasvit, which are among the most important players and drivers of Czech export. The province’s focus on technology, including digital technology, also offers huge potential for cooperation of Czech companies in investment, e-commerce, technical education and innovations.

On the next day of his trip, Sunday 16 June 2016, Prime Minister Sobotka will meet with leading Czech businessmen in the province of Zhejiang and with the Deputy Chairwoman of the People’s Republic of China’s State Council.