Xi set to begin historic visit to Czech Republic

President Xi Jinping leaves Beijing for an historic visit to the Czech Republic on Monday morning.

The three-day trip will be the first state visit by a Chinese president either to the Czech Republic or the former Czechoslovakia in 67 years — since the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Shortly after he arrives in Prague, Xi will be greeted by Zeman at the Lany chateau, west of Prague, where the two presidents will plant a tree, according to the Czech Presidential Office.

Xi will be the first foreign president to be welcomed at the chateau, the country residence of the Czech president.

Xi is scheduled to meet with Czech President Milos Zeman and Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka for formal talks on Tuesday.

The release of a joint declaration on a strategic partnership is expected to be the main outcome of the visit. About 20 agreements ranging from investment, finance, aviation to healthcare are expected to be signed. Zeman has said that he expects Chinese investment of 45 billion crowns ($1.84 billion).

The Czech News Agency reported that the joint declaration will include enhancing cooperation on finance, including the Czech Republic's interest in becoming a center for Chinese financial institutions in the region.