"China is my second hometown. I have special feelings for the country. Everything about it is so beautiful," Salal said while showing the photos he has taken in China in different periods.
"I also found my love in Beijing," Salal said in a voice filled with happiness. He met his wife Ai Lianna, who was then his classmate, while he was studying at Peking University.
During his stay in Beijing, he and his colleagues met then Chinese vice president Zhu De. "We wanted to take a photo with Zhu De. And Zhu De agreed without any hesitation after learning that we are from socialist country," Salal said, displaying the photo featuring Zhu De and a group of diplomats.
"Even though there were twists and turns, the friendship between China and the Czech Republic has never stopped. Particularly in recent years, the relationship between the two countries is rising," Salal is very confident about Sino-Czech relations. "The visits of top leaders from both countries have greatly enhanced our relations. After the Czech president's visit to China last year, now Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the Czech Republic soon. I believe this visit will be historic, and will bring Sino-Czech relations to a new level," said Salal.
In 2014, the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Czech Republic, Chinese ambassador to the Czech Republic compiled and published a book called China and Me to commemorate the milestone, and invited many who used to study and work in China to share their stories. The book includes a memoir by Salal in which he wrote, "My love of China never left me since it started in my youth. I grow more interested in China the more I know about the country."
"I sympathize with everything happening in China, and I feel sincerely happy for the grand achievements China has accomplished today," he said.
Recent economic and cultural exchanges
The Czech Republic is the second-biggest trading partner of China in the Central and Eastern European region, and China is the second-biggest trading partner in the world for the Czech Republic. In 2015, two-way trade topped $11 billion.
In the last 10 years, the Czech Republic's exports to China have grown 190 percent. Chinese companies have invested a total of $300 million in the Czech Republic and created about 3,000 jobs.
In August 2014, the Czech government hosted the China-Central and Eastern European Countries Cooperation Investment Forum. Representatives from 15 provinces, cities and autonomous regions of China met with officials and CEOs from 16 Central and Eastern European countries.
Major Chinese companies, including Huawei, ZTE, Hisense and China Guodian Corporation, are doing business in the Czech Republic.
According to media reports, China CEFC Energy Company also has many projects in the Czech Republic. The company has also bought a soccer club in Prague.
In 2015, when officials from the two countries met, they also discussed putting the cooperation into the bigger frame of the One Belt and One Road initiative.
Apart from the official level, people and organizations in China and the Czech Republic have a long history of friendly relationship.
Based on data from the Czech national tourist office, the number of Chinese tourists visiting the Czech Republic has reached 250,000 a year and is increasing rapidly. Right now, the number is increasing by 10 to 20 percent every month.
In 2015, the first direct flight was established between China and the Czech Republic.
In February 2016, Prague and Beijing became sister cities. China also gave the Czech Republic a panda as a gift.
There's a lot of cultural and athletic exchange between the two countries as well. For example, On September 24, 2015, the Czech national ice hockey team and the Chinese team completed a united training camp together. This is seen as Chinese preparation for the 2022 Winter Olympic games.
To mirror Xi's visit, 16 Chinese ice hockey players will arrive in Prague later this month to be trained by Czech coaches.
