Vojtěch Filip, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Czech-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, gave the opening speech at a professional meeting dedicated to Czech-Chinese cooperation. In his speech, he focused on the key challenges arising from China's new 15th Five-Year Plan and on areas in which the Czech Republic can offer specific know-how.
Filip pointed out that the current development of the Chinese economy is no longer based solely on exports, but increasingly on growth in domestic consumption. According to him, this is evidence of rising living standards and successful poverty reduction in China. At the same time, he pointed out that the Chinese government's new priorities also represent an opportunity for the Czech Republic, provided it is able to build on the cooperation developed mainly after 2015.
He identified the renewal of cooperation between universities, academic institutions and research institutes as a key area. According to him, science, research and modern technology are among the main drivers of economic growth and cannot be burdened by ideological disputes from previous years.
He also focused on social systems. According to Filip, the Czech Republic can offer its experience, particularly in the area of care for the elderly. With a growing middle class in China, there will be an increasing need for modern social security, where the Czech model can serve as inspiration.
Another important chapter is personal contact and tourism. Filip emphasised the need to restore direct air links between the Czech Republic and China, which would boost tourism and the regional economy. He recalled that in the past, hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists visited Czechia every year and that the country has the appropriate infrastructure for their return.
He cited the conclusion of a contract between a Czech energy company and the Chinese company Winday as a specific success. The cooperation concerns the development of green energy, particularly wind systems, energy storage facilities and related infrastructure. According to Filip, this is the result of two years of effort, which, despite obstacles, has been brought to a successful conclusion.
„If we focus on specific projects, long-term cooperation and mutual trust, the Czechia-China partnership can have a very practical and beneficial dimension.“ concluded Filip.
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