The parliaments of Poland and China have never been so close, and cooperation between Warsaw and Beijing is entering a whole new period. That's the feeling Polish and Chinese politicians may have, following the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation PL-CH. The ceremony took place on Thursday in the Column Hall of the Polish Parliament and was a key event during the four-day visit to Poland of the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, Zhang Dejiang. - In the last decade, mutual relations have developed a lot, and as we are entering a new stage of cooperation between the whole of Central and Eastern Europe and China - if only because of this famous Belt and Road project - parliamentary cooperation is extremely necessary here - Sejm Speaker Marek Kuchcinski said.
Marshal Kuchcinski stressed the importance of Poland's geographic location at the intersection of major north-south, east-west transportation routes. Meanwhile, the OZPL Chairman noted that Sino-Polish cooperation is a classic model in the construction of the new Blue Route between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. - I hope that we will be able to learn from each other and enjoy together the effects of development in the social and economic fields -. Zhang Dejiang said. The chairman stressed the political trust and friendship between the two nations.
Thursday's meeting between the Speaker of the Diet and the Chairman of the OZPL was also an opportunity to discuss regional cooperation. During the conversation, it was noted that the development of Sino-Polish relations is through broad support and regional participation. - Our parliamentarians will support the development of regional cooperation between the regions and provinces of our countries. We are aware that recent years have encouraged both sides to develop cooperation. I see today's meeting as a strong commitment of our parliaments to this development - concluded the Speaker. This was followed by the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Polish Parliament and OZPL, after which the two sides exchanged gifts.
Another highlight of the visit was the Poland-China Belt and Road Forum on Infrastructure Cooperation. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development Mateusz Morawiecki, who was one of the hosts of the meeting, noted that relations between Warsaw and Beijing are at a historic moment. - We are committed to deepening cooperation. Mutual, to the benefit of both sides. Poland and China have a lot to offer each other - Mateusz Morawiecki said. Marek Kuchcinski added: - Poland is attached to the European Union, but at the same time we are engaged in cooperation in other directions, such as the Tri-Cities, the Visegrad Group, and such cooperation is also "Belt and Road" - in the 16+1 format.
Zhang Dejiang, in turn, recalled that Poland has remained China's largest remaining trade partner in Central and Eastern Europe for the past 12 years. - I am very pleased that Poland is one of the first countries to sign a memorandum on building an international "Belt and Road" agreement. China welcomes this project very much. Poland is an important partner for China in this part of Europe - Chairman Dejiang said.
Forum participants also touched on cooperation in planning and investment in the Central Transport Port project between Lodz and Warsaw, as well as coordination and support for the development of logistics infrastructure in Poland.
Zhang Dejiang's visit to Poland is another recent important meeting between top government officials of the two countries. In May this year. China was visited by Prime Minister Beata Szydło. In turn, Polish President Andrzej Duda visited the Middle Kingdom in October 2015.
