Chinese FM eyes 'harvest' for ties with Slovakia

BEIJING - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Slovakia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajcak here on Wednesday, looking forward to "harvest" for the ties between the two countries.

As Wednesday marks the "Beginning of Spring" in the traditional Chinese calendar, Wang said during the talks that he believed the China-Slovakia relationship will witness "good harvest" in 2015.

Hailing the traditional friendship between the two countries, Wang said the bilateral relationship has entered a new phase.

"Facts have proved that political mutual trust in each other serves as a precondition for the healthy and stable development of a bilateral relationship," said the Chinese foreign minister.

Wang said China attaches importance to the ties with Slovakia and will enhance political mutual trust with the Slovak side on the basis of equality, calling for mutual respect for each other's core interests and major concerns.

China will boost two-way investment and practical cooperation on energy and infrastructure to advance the ties with Slovakia, with Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries and with Europe at large, Wang said.

At Wang's invitation, Lajcak is paying an official visit to China from Monday to Thursday.

During the talks, Lajcak said the Slovak government regards China as an important partner and reliable friend.

Slovakia will firmly adhere to the one-China policy and respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, said the visiting foreign minister.

Lajcak said Slovakia will continue working with China to tap the potential for bilateral cooperation and make contribution to the China-Europe cooperation as well as the cooperation between China and the CEE countries.

During the talks, the two foreign ministers also exchanged views on other international issues of common concern.