China and Poland eye major deals

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) attends a welcoming ceremony held by Polish President Andrzej Duda in Warsaw, Poland, June 20, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Duda said Poland is willing to actively take part in the Belt and Road Initiative, and to deepen cooperation with China in fields such as infrastructure, railroads and logistics.

The agreements signed on Monday will boost bilateral cooperation and send a positive signal to the world, he said, adding that he believes Chinese companies will be interested in investing in Polish projects.

Wu Enyuan, a political adviser and former director of the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said traditional friendship, Poland's strategic position and mutual benefits resulted in the upgrading of the bilateral relationship.

China saw its first joint-venture enterprise in history with Poland in 1951, Wu said, adding that the European country's important location and its need for infrastructure investment meant it was only natural to upgrade ties.

Krzysztof Gawlikowski, an expert on East Asian civilization at Warsaw University of Social Sciences and Humanities, said Poland is being increasingly attracted by China because of its economic prosperity and intention to cooperate with nations in Central and Eastern Europe.

For now, Poland hopes to increase exports of farm produce to China to ease a trade deficit, Gawlikowski said, adding, "I believe these high-quality products will be welcomed by Chinese consumers."

Xinhua contributed to this story.

Contact the writer at anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn