Let the Polish eagle fly over a Eurasian sky

Bogusław Chrabota: Chinese are used to a poetic style of defining their politics and strategies. Decades ago flowers were supposed to bloom and great leaps happen, is it time now for the Polish eagle to fly over Chinese sky?

Lu Qiutian: The task is highly complex. Poland and China have to know each other better, understand, exchange cultural experience and then the space for cooperation will grow. The best moment in bilateral relations is the president Xi Jinping's visit.

The Polish - Chinese friendship might be considered, going further in these colourful comparisons, as a cord binding two nations. If we add economy and human exchange, we will see ourselves standing on top of the bridge based on very firm foundations and the next pillars will be constantly constructed. We expect our friendship to be longterm and the number of platforms for cooperation to rise.

For Poland and China it is a very good moment in history...

An important step in bilateral relations was the president's visit to China held in November last year. During that time president Duda took part in the fourth edition of Central-Eastern Europe head of states meeting with China. President Xi Jinping's visit is a natural consequence of that event. We have to remember that it will be the first official visit to Poland in the last 12 years! The fact that both heads of state are visiting within six months tells us how important Poland is to China.

How serious can we treat Chinese guarantees that we're becoming a gateway to this part of Europe for Beijing?

Bilateral economic relations are essential for our cooperation. When the rest of the world slows down, Polish - Chinese economic cooperation still remains on a constant growth. Both countries are the most important partners for each other in their regions.

Poland remains the part of the main gateway for Chinese investments in the CEE region. Chinese companies like Huawei and TCL placed their funds here, other big companies are waiting in line to do the same. The One Belt One Road Initiative brings the impulse necessary for reconstruction of the industry. China has big potential in terms of infrastructure, mining equipment, telecommunications – it can benefit from further grow for Poland as a Chinese partner.

Chinese companies would like to engage actively in the construction of a new sea port, railway hubs and establish here special economic zone. I am sure that the potential of development between the two countries remains huge. There are many layers for acting together as partners – we succeeded in organising Chinese cultural events in Poland as well as Polish Culture Day in China. Five Confucius Institutes were already opened in Poland and in China there are seven universities where Polish is taught. According to an old Chinese saying the relations between countries happen the same way as relations between people.

Is Polish culture well known in China?

Of course! The Chinese feel great sentiment towards the Poles. The emotion is based on respect and that is an excellent base for getting to know each other better. My delegation was very impressed that within just one day we were able to see the Copernicus monument, the place of Chopin's birth and visit the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. My friend, who works as a director in an international hospital, is inspired very much by Maria Curie-Skłodowska.