On March 28, 2016 local time, President Xi Jinping met with President Miloš Zeman of the Czech Republic at Lany Chateau in Prague.

At about 5:00 pm, Xi Jinping arrived at Lany Chateau, the official summer residence of President Miloš Zeman. Miloš Zeman warmly welcomed him at the door. Together the two heads of state went to the balcony on the second floor of the main building and enjoyed the picturesque landscape. The rain-washed grass at the Chateau shined like a green carpet in the sun. Later, the two heads of state went for a stroll in the Chateau, had a chat, and visited the newly-renovated glass greenhouse.

Miloš Zeman expressed his warm welcome for Xi Jinping's state visit to the Czech Republic. Xi Jinping pointed out that this marks my first visit to a Central and Eastern European country (CEEC) since I took office as the President of China, and this visit is also the first visit to the Czech Republic by the Chinese head of state since the establishment of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries. Although China and the Czech Republic are far apart geographically, the bilateral friendly exchanges have enjoyed a long history, and the two peoples' hearts and feelings are connected. I am looking forward to having extensive exchanges and in-depth discussions on bilateral relations and issues of common concern with you through this state visit, so as to further promote bilateral relations to a new high.

Quaint and elegant, Lany Chateau looked particularly peaceful in the moonlight. The two heads of state had an over-two-hour meeting, during which they exchanged in-depth views on important issues such as China-Czech relations and China-EU relations.

Xi Jinping stressed that friendship and cooperation have always been the dominant theme between China and the Czech Republic since the establishment of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries more than six decades ago, despite the changing circumstances in the international arena and the ups and downs the two countries have gone through. Especially in recent years, both countries have maintained close high-level exchanges, continuously deepened practical cooperation, and conducted various kinds of people-to-people and cultural exchanges, ushering the bilateral relationship into a new period with the fastest development pace and most results. In 2015, both sides signed an inter-governmental memorandum of understanding on jointly promoting the "Belt and Road" initiative, which has laid a sound foundation. At a new starting point to envision the future, we have a responsibility to forge ahead and work together to inherit and develop the friendship between the two countries, so as to let it shine with new vitality as time goes by.

Miloš Zeman said that the Czech Republic and himself attach great importance to relations with China, and take as a priority direction the promotion of the development of the bilateral relations and the expansion of practical cooperation in various fields between the Czech Republic and China. He is pleased to see the tremendous progress made in the current bilateral relations. He believes that this visit by President Xi Jinping will enhance mutual political trust between the two countries, providing new opportunities for bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China has always been supporting the European integration process, and would like to see a prosperous, united, and stable European Union (EU). China is willing to strengthen cooperation with the EU and with European countries, and work together to make positive contributions to world peace and development.

Miloš Zeman said that the Czech Republic is a reliable partner of China within the EU, and is willing to give full play to its role and influence, so as to make its own contributions to promoting the EU-China relations, and CEEC-China relations.

Before the meeting, the two heads of state planted a ginkgo sapling from China in the Chateau, and they earthed up and watered the sapling together. Xi Jinping said, predecessors trees and descendants cool. The ginkgo tree is the symbol of long-lasting friendship, and implies that the bilateral friendship will last forever. I hope that the two countries will always treat and grasp the overall situation of the development of the bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, so that the bilateral relations and the traditional friendship between the two countries can constantly grow just like the sapling they watered together.

Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu, Yang Jiechi and others attended aforementioned activities.