Chinese President Xi Jinping and Czech Republic President Milos Zeman have signed multiple cooperation agreements, one of which is aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between both nations by boosting economic ties and increasing investment.

Zeman is known for advocating for stronger ties with China and Russia more than his partners in NATO and the European Union (EU) since assuming the presidency in 2013

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Experts say relations between EU and Beijing remain shaky over disputes on human rights violations.

Military Parade

While the Czech Republic respects the EU-China volatile relations, Zeman has initiated efforts to build closer ties with Beijing by attending China's V-Day military parade in September last year - the only Western leader to do so.

President Xi was given a lavish red carpet welcome to the Czech Republic; marking the first visit of a Chinese leader after 67 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Czech officials prepared a special welcome for Xi, including a dinner at the presidential residence and a 21 gun salute in a ceremony held at the historic Prague Castle.

Partnership agreement

Many say the courtesies accorded to President Xi by Czech officials were so special and are not usually given to other visitors.

With the partnership agreement, the Czech Republic has become one of the 15 European countries that has the same ties with Beijing.

"I would like the Czech Republic to become ... an entry gate for the People's Republic of China to the European Union," Zeman said at the welcome dinner for Xi.

TagsChinese President Xi jinping, Czech President Milos Zeman, strategic partnership, china, European Union, partnership agreement, protesters, Tibet, Taiwan