Li Hongzhong, First Vice-chair of the Chinese Parliament visited Bratislava on Tuesday where he met with Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) to discuss bilateral Slovak-Chinese relations and possibilities for their further development.
He was also received by President Peter Pellegrini at the Presidential Palace where issues concerning trade and economic cooperation with China were high on the agenda of their talks.
According to Pellegrini, Slovakia is interested in constructive dialogue and in developing relations also in the field of culture, as confirmed by the planned opening of a Slovak Institute in Beijing.
China has been Slovakia's most important trading partner in Asia since 2017 and ranks among the country's ten largest economic partners.
Two major Chinese investment projects are currently under way in Slovakia — the InoBat/Gotion High Tech battery plant in Surany worth €1.23 billion and the Volvo/Geely project in Valaliky near Kosice worth €1.2 billion.
Slovakia and China are continuing to develop their strategic partnership, which was established in November 2024 during the Slovak Prime Minister's official visit to Beijing.
Both sides confirmed their interest in deepening political dialogue, parliamentary cooperation, economic ties, as well as cooperation in innovation, science, research, education and culture.
An important instrument for implementing the strategic partnership is the intergovernmental committee for strategic cooperation between Slovakia and China, whose first meeting took place in January in Bratislava.
Fico also thanked the Chinese government for extending unilateral visa-free entry for Slovak citizens until the end of 2026. Slovak citizens can travel to China without visas for up to 30 days.
According to Fico, the establishment of a direct air link between Bratislava and Beijing would help not only tourism development but also the establishment of direct business contacts. He added that Slovakia is the only country in the region without a direct air connection to China.
The discussion at the Government Office also covered possibilities for opening a Slovak Cultural Institute in Beijing and a Chinese cultural centre in Bratislava.
Source: TASR
