On the afternoon of April 22, 2004, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with President Václav Klaus of the Czech Republic at the Great Hall of the People. The two sides exchanged views in depth on bilateral relations and other issues of common interest.

Hu Jintao made positive comments on Sino-Czech friendly cooperative relations. He said that the Czech Republic was among the earliest countries to accept the independence of and establish diplomatic relations with the New China since its birth. In recent years, despite great changes in international and domestic situations, the two sides have continuously made new headway in developing bilateral relations based on mutual respect, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and reciprocity. Mutual political trust is deepening and bilateral trade volume is growing every year. Cooperation in the fields of science and technology, education and culture is expanding and their cooperation in the United Nations and other international organizations is fruitful. On the Taiwan issue, China appreciates the Czech government's position of adhering to the one-China principle.

Hu said that there isn't any unsolved problem or fundamental conflict of interests between China and the Czech Republic, so to maintain and develop the friendly bilateral relations of cooperation is in line with the common aspirations and fundamental interests of both peoples. China would like to make the following proposals:

First, the two sides should strengthen contacts between top-level officials of the two countries and enhance mutual understanding and trust continuously.

Second, the two sides should expand exchanges in economy and trade and boost cooperation between enterprises of the two countries in the fields of forestry, ship-building, manufacture of auto accessories and electric power generation. China encourages competitive Chinese enterprises to invest and set up factories in the Czech Republic and welcomes Czech enterprises to expand their operations to China.

Third, the two sides should further strengthen cooperation in the fields of environmental protection, science, technology and tourism, and enrich the bilateral relations.

Fourth, the two sides should increase exchanges in the arena of literature and arts to deepen the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Fifth, The two sides should enhance coordination and cooperation in international affairs.

Hu said that China would like to work together with the Czech Republic, taking the opportunity of the 55th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the visit to China by President Klaus to bring their bilateral relations to a higher level in the new century.

Klaus said that he was the first Prime Minister of the Czech Republic to visit China 10 years ago after its independence. During this visit, he was deeply impressed by the great changes in various fields of China. Fully agreeing to suggestions by Hu Jintao on maintaining and developing the friendly relations of cooperation between the two countries, President Klaus stressed that the Czech Republic would like to join forces with China to enhance exchanges and cooperation in all fields, such as politics, economy, trade, culture, education, transportation and tourism, and explore a new phase of bilateral relations. Klaus reiterated that the government of the Czech Republic explicitly supports the stance of the Chinese government on the Taiwan issue.

After the talks, President Hu Jintao and Klaus attended the signing ceremony for the Agreement on Economic Cooperation Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Czech Republic and other cooperation papers.

Prior to the talks, Hu held a welcoming ceremony for the visit by Klaus at a plaza east to the Great Hall of the People. Present at the ceremony were Uyunqimg, Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Vice-chairperson of the CPPCC National Committee Zhou Tienong, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of China Zhi Gong Party Wang Songda and Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo.