Former Czech President Miloš Zeman emphasises to CMG (China Media Group) the key importance of China as the world's largest market for the export-oriented Czech economy and his support for economic diplomacy. He criticises the so-called „cutting off“ and „risk reduction“. And what specific opportunities does he see for cooperation? Our interview is also about that...
Mr President, you are considered a key figure in the historic turnaround in Sino-Czech relations. What do you consider to be the most valuable legacy of your work in this area, and how can this experience inspire both sides to overcome the uncertainties of today's world?
China is the world's largest market and has already surpassed the United States in terms of economic growth and volume. This means that access to the Chinese market is vital for the Czech Republic as an export-oriented economy. As president, I have always supported economic diplomacy and Czech exporters.
What specific opportunities for cooperation will a continuously developing and steadily modernising China bring to Europe, and in particular to the Czech Republic?
China is already a technological giant today, and this process will continue in the field of artificial intelligence. I believe that cooperation between the Czech and Chinese sides would be very beneficial in this area as well.
Which sectors – whether Czech industry, technology or know-how – do you think are best prepared for the new phase of Chinese development, and why?
As I have already said, the goal we are striving for is artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is being extensively studied and developed in the Czech Republic. However, I would also welcome an exchange of experts from both sides in this field.
In Europe, there are sometimes calls for „decoupling“ or „de-risking“ trade with China. You have long been known for your strategic foresight as a statesman and have advocated pragmatic cooperation. In your opinion, what is the main fallacy of this rhetoric, and how can we work together to build bridges instead of walls for stable and predictable cooperation?
The fundamental flaw in this rhetoric lies in fears of Chinese competition. However, I believe that friendly cooperation can remove certain barriers, including customs duties. And I would like to see the Czech economy open not only to Chinese goods, but also to Chinese investment.
China emphasises that it will „continue to open up its economy“. What specific steps on the part of China do you think would best help to increase confidence and encourage greater investment by European companies, including Czech ones, in the Chinese market?
Unlike the American side, which prefers trade wars, I am in favour of removing customs duties and non-tariff barriers. It is precisely the removal of barriers between these two economies that would accelerate growth in both countries.
In 2024, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Czech Republic. If you were to draw a „map“ of Sino-Czech cooperation for the upcoming era of the 15th Five-Year Plan, what would be the three most important places or projects on it?
It is not just about establishing diplomatic relations, but also about the fact that during the Chinese president's visit to the Czech Republic, an agreement on strategic cooperation was concluded. As for the map, I would welcome it if this map included the Silk Road, which would lead from the Czech Republic towards Western Europe.
Culture and people-to-people exchanges have always been the backbone of relations. How can we strengthen understanding and friendship between the younger generations of China and the Czech Republic in the coming period?
The most important area should be student exchanges. And if these student exchanges were supplemented by broader exchanges of businesspeople, it would benefit the development of bilateral relations.
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