Prime Minister Sobotka: A direct air link between the Czech Republic and China could begin in October

Today Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka met with Ma Keqing, the People's Republic of China's ambassador. The main topic of their discussion was further deepening of bilateral cooperation and the strategic partnership between the Czech Republic and the People's Republic of China.

Prime Minister Sobotka and the ambassador mainly discussed the status of preparations for a direct air link between both countries.

"The ambassador confirmed to me today that the direct air link between Prague and Beijing could begin as soon as this October. She also gave me a personal letter from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, in which the premier also confirmed this information. The Chinese premier and I discussed opening the link at our meeting in Belgrade in December, and I consider it very good news for the Czech Republic that this matter will be seen through to its successful completion. The direct air link will boost both countries ties significantly and lead to more intensive cooperation in the areas of bilateral trade relations, new investments, tourism, export and healthcare," said Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka.

The technical negotiations and contractual relationships between Český Aeroholding and the Hainan Airlines Group, whose company Hainan Airlines will operate the link, are expected to be finalised by this June.

The prime minister and the ambassador also discussed planned events that await the government in 2015 in relation to bilateral Czech-Chinese relations.

The Czech Republic is interested in offering China advanced technology and modern industry. Specific activities include the organisation of "Czech Republic Days in Shanghai and the Czech Republic being the main foreign country to accept auspices over the China (Shanghai International Technology Fair (CSIFT) from 22 to 25 April 2015. The official Czech delegation will be led by Czech lower house of parliament chairman Jan Hamáček, accompanied by cabinet ministers, representatives of regional and local governments and a delegation of businessmen and exhibitors.

The Health Ministers Meeting 16+1 Prague 2015, an event scheduled for this June to promote cooperation between 16 Central and Eastern European countries and China, is intended to deepen bilateral cooperation in the healthcare sector. The Czech prime minister has invited Chinese Vice-premier Liu Yandong and Chinese Health Minister Li Bin to attend this meeting of ministers, physicians, scientists and businesses involved in the healthcare sector. The summit will include the opening of the first traditional Chinese medicine clinic in Hradec Králové.

This autumn in Beijing, Prime Minister Sobotka will attend a meeting of the heads of government of 16 Central and Eastern European countries and China. During that trip, he expected to hold bilateral talks with Chinese officials, accompanied by a large business delegation. The main topics expected to be discussed during the prime minister's visit to China include boosting of bilateral investments, intensifying and simplifying trade relations, expanding cooperation in education, energy and agriculture and building of economic and technological zones for Chinese investors in the Moravia-Silesia Region.