President Xi Pledges to Elevate China-Poland Relations

Beijing, The Gulf Observer: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday expressed China’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations with Poland, aiming to bring greater stability and certainty to a turbulent world. President Xi made these remarks during talks in Beijing with Polish President Andrzej Duda, who is on a state visit to China.

President Xi highlighted that Poland was among the first countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China, noting the steady progress in bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties 75 years ago. He emphasized the significant developments since China and Poland upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership eight years ago, which has expanded and deepened exchanges and cooperation across various fields, benefiting both nations.

Amidst global changes of unprecedented scale, President Xi reaffirmed China’s readiness to collaborate with Poland to uphold the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and maintain the traditional friendship. He emphasized the importance of pushing bilateral relations to new heights and contributing to global stability.

“The enduring relationship between our nations is rooted in our ability to draw wisdom and strength from our respective histories and cultural traditions,” President Xi stated. He called for continued adherence to the China-Poland friendship characterized by mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and mutual learning. He also urged both sides to support each other’s sovereignty, security, and development interests, oppose the Cold War mentality, and promote a fair and orderly global multipolarization and economic globalization.

President Xi proposed utilizing mechanisms such as the China-Poland Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee to strengthen strategic coordination and planning across various fields. He emphasized the importance of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, advancing major projects like the China-Europe Railway Express, and enhancing trade, agriculture, digital economy, green industry, and clean energy collaboration.

China welcomes more high-quality agricultural and food products from Poland and supports the expansion of two-way investment. President Xi expressed hope that Poland would provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises. He also announced a 15-day unilateral visa-free policy for Polish citizens to promote cultural, youth, academic, and media exchanges.

China is committed to working with Poland and other countries to promote sustainable development through the China-Central and Eastern European Countries cooperation mechanism and to advance China-EU relations.

President Duda acknowledged President Xi’s state visit to Poland in 2016 as a milestone in the comprehensive strategic partnership. He highlighted the Belt and Road Initiative’s significant development opportunities for Poland, which have propelled infrastructure construction and economic growth. Poland appreciates China’s principles in international affairs and contributions to world peace and development, reaffirming its adherence to the one-China principle.

President Duda expressed Poland’s willingness to advance Belt and Road cooperation, deepen economic, trade, agriculture, infrastructure, and connectivity exchanges, and expand into new areas such as innovation, digital economy, and new energy vehicles. He emphasized Poland’s commitment to close multilateral communication and coordination with China to further their strategic partnership and contribute to global peace and stability.

As Poland prepares to assume the rotating presidency of the EU in the first half of next year, President Duda pledged to play a constructive role in promoting EU-China relations and cooperation between Central and Eastern European countries and China.

The two leaders also discussed the Ukraine crisis. President Xi reiterated China’s position on promoting peace talks and political settlement, stressing the need to avoid escalation and create conditions for peace. He opposed using normal China-Russia trade as an excuse to smear China and affirmed China’s support for efforts towards a peaceful resolution, promoting a balanced and sustainable European security architecture.

Following their talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents in economy, trade, agriculture, and more. They also issued the Action Plan on Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Poland (2024-2027).

Prior to the talks, President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted a welcome ceremony and banquet for President Duda and his wife.