Robert Fico, Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, arrived in Beijing on Thursday for an official visit to China from Oct 31 to Nov 5 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
President Xi Jinping will meet with Fico during his visit. Premier Li will hold talks with Fico, and Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, will meet with him. They will exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of common interest, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
He served as Slovak prime minister from 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2018.
He was appointed again as Slovakia's prime minister in October 2023.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Slovakia.
Slovak prime minister arrives in Beijing for official visit
Slovak prime minister arrives in Beijing for official visit
Slovak prime minister arrives in Beijing for official visit
Preparations are nearly complete for the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE), set for November 5-10 in Shanghai, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.
Ministry spokesperson He Yadong said at a press conference that exhibits from over 2,700 participating companies have entered the exhibition halls, while those from more than 700 companies are still in transit and will arrive by Nov. 2.
To improve the experience for attendees, this year's CIIE has established 172 functional areas in 26 categories and added 1,523 temporary signs throughout the venue. The expo has also streamlined its registration and approval processes with a digital system.
"We are enhancing payment convenience by ensuring adequate small-denomination cash reserves, while expanding bank card transaction acceptance to include both domestic and international cards for the first time. Additionally, the expo will feature a 5,000-square-meter catering zone and offer food delivery services to all booths," said He.
The expo will also share comprehensive travel and service information via its official WeChat account, and upgrades have been made to the event's Hongqiao forum information system and the venue's navigation systems to enhance the attendee experience.
The seventh CIIE has attracted participants from 152 countries, regions and international organizations, and achieved a new record with 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders set to attend.
Since its first edition in 2018, the expo has become an important showcase, spotlighting China's new development paradigm, a platform for high-standard opening up, and an opportunity for the whole world.
Preparation work for CIIE nears completion: ministry
