Chinese president wraps up historic visit to Czech Republic

Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Strahov Library in Prague, the Czech Republic, March 30, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

PRAGUE -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday concluded a historic three-day state visit to the Czech Republic and left for Washington to attend a Nuclear Security Summit.

During his first state visit to the European country, Xi held talks with his Czech counterpart, Milos Zeman, and met respectively with parliament leaders Milan Stech and Jan Hamacek, and with Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka.

The two sides had in-depth exchange of views on bilateral ties, China-EU relations, cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, and international and regional issues of common concern, and reached broad consensus.

The two countries issued a joint statement to forge a strategic partnership and inked a host of intergovernmental agreements in such fields as e-commerce, investment, science and technology, tourism, culture, and aviation to further promote comprehensive cooperation.

Xi and Zeman attended the China-Czech Economic Roundtable and then visited the Strahov Library on Wednesday.

Xi arrived in the Czech Republic on Monday for a state visit, the first by a Chinese president in 67 years since the two countries established diplomatic ties. It is also Xi's first trip to the CEE region since he assumed presidency in 2013 and his first trip to Europe this year.

The Chinese president is on route to Washington for the fourth Nuclear Security Summit to be held from Thursday to Friday.