China’s Xi visits Zeman at retreat at start of state visit to Czech Republic

The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, has begun a two-day state visit to the Czech Republic. Mr. Xi's official programme began on Monday with a meeting with Czech President Miloš Zeman at the Lány presidential retreat near Prague; the two planted a tree in the Lány grounds and were expected to have dinner together. On Tuesday the Chinese leader will be welcomed at Prague Castle with military honours. After further talks with Mr. Zeman he will meet other senior Czech officials, including Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka. A number of bilateral memoranda and trade deals are due to be signed during Mr. Xi's stay, which is the first by a Chinese president to the Czech Republic.

Author: Ian Willoughby