Full coverage: President Xi Visits 3 Nations, Attends SCO Summit
Full coverage: China’s Leaders
At the top of our program, President Xi Jinping is in Poland for a state visit. It's the second stop of his current three-nation tour following his visit to Serbia. It's the first time a Chinese head of state has visited Poland in 12 years.
A welcoming ceremony was held in the Presidential Palace in Warsaw.
President Xi Jinping meets his Polish counterpart, Andrzej Duda at a welcoming ceremony。
Both presidents then held a press conference in the capital, Warsaw.
The two countries agreed to lift their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
WARSAW, June 20, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Polish President Andrzej Duda attend a press conference after their talks in Warsaw, Poland, June 20, 2016. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)
President Xi said, "We exchanged views on China's relationship with the central and eastern European countries, and issues of mutual concern. We both decided to position our relationship and also upgrade it to comprehensive strategic partnership."
"During the visit, we will also formulate a guideline for our industrial cooperation and set up a steering committee for that. We would also like to have more cooperation on building a cyber-space silk road, and also to reach a consensus on logistic cooperation. "
Xi said since China and Poland established diplomatic ties 67 years ago, relations have consistently developed.
Duda said that Poland admires China's development achievements, and is willing to deepen trade and people-to-people cooperation, making Poland the window for China to enter Europe.
Andrzej Duda said, "We will also contribute to economic and trade connectivity between China and countries in the region. I’m very pleased that we have signed a series of agreements today and have lifted our relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership."
Both heads of state witnessed the signing of a number of agreements, covering areas including finance, civil aviation, technology and education, and to further align the Belt and Road Initiative in line with Poland's development plans.
