Chinese FM discusses Warsaw's role in building "Belt and Road" with Poland's highest officials

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has discussed expanding bilateral cooperation and the implementation of the China-proposed "Belt and Road" initiative with Polish officials.

Wang met with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz, and Wang's Polish counterpart Grzegorz Schetyna on Oct. 14-15.

During Wang's Wednesday talks with Duda, they both agreed to further bilateral cooperation.

Wang said China is willing to work with Poland to make the bilateral ties stand at the forefront of the relations between China and the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries and that between China and Europe. He expressed hope that Poland will continue to play the role of engine in boosting China-CEE cooperation.

He said China regards Poland as an important partner in the implementation of the "Belt and Road" initiative, expressing Beijing's willingness to work with the Polish side to build the China-Europe freight train service into an important channel of the "Belt and Road."

Their meeting also brought forth comments about expanding cooperation in culture, education, and tourism.

During Wang's Thursday meeting with Kopacz, the Polish prime minister expressed Poland's intention to deepen the strategic partnership, enhance economic cooperation and increase the volume of trade with China.

Kopacz said Poland is willing to play the role of gateway for CEE land, sea and air transport in the implementation of the "Belt and Road" initiative.

The Polish prime minister said Warsaw stands ready to strengthen cooperation with China within the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), as well as in the fields of cultural exchange and education.

Noting that Poland is a major country in the European Union (EU) as well as in the CEE region with growing international status, Wang said China hopes Poland can act as a booster in pushing promoting Chian-Europe cooperation.

Towards that end, both sides need to continue to deepen strategic mutual trust and respect each other's core interests, consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations, according to Wang.

During the meeting with his Polish counterpart on Wednesday, Wang said while maintaining the traditional cooperation, both countries should move with the times and open up new areas of cooperation.

Wang said China is ready for talks with Poland on signing a framework document on "Belt and Road" construction. He noted that Poland was the first to establish a strategic partnership with China among the new EU member states, and also the only CEE country joining AIIB, expressing China's appreciation for the constructive role played by the Polish side in promoting China-EU relations.

Schetyna said in recent years, both countries' strategic partnership had achieved important progress and pragmatic cooperation continued to expand. He said the Polish side is willing to actively participate in building "Belt and Road" , strengthen bilateral economic and trade cooperation, and promote China-CEE ties and China-Europe ties.