At the invitation of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA), Mr. Michal Hasek, Vice Chairman of the Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD), led a 22-member delegation to visit China from 22 to 31 March, 2012. Among the delegation were Mr. Zdenek Skromach, Vice President of the Senate, Mr. Lubomir Zaoralek, Vice Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament and other important CSSD members.

       During the visit, Mme. Yan Junqi, Vice Chairwoman of the NPC Standing Committee, Mr. Song Tao, Vice Foreign Minister, Mr. Chen Fengxiang, Vice Minister in charge of the International Department of CPC, Ambassador Peng Keyu, Vice President of CPIFA, and Mr. Li Jianping, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with the delegation. The delegation also had talks with relevant persons-in-charge from Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Agriculture, Academy of Macroeconomic Research of NDRC, China Banking Regulatory Commission, CCTV and Government of Chaoyang District, Beijing Municipality. The two sides exchanged views on promoting China-Czech economic and trade cooperation, cultural and regional exchanges, as well as strengthening relations between CPC and CSSD. The Chinese side briefed the delegation on the country’s 12th Five-year Plan, its key projects and major fields to be developed. The delegation was also received by Mme. Wu Youying, Vice Chairwoman of Shanghai CPPCC and Mr. Hui Xueyong, Deputy Major of Cangzhou City. Members of the delegation also visited the China-Czech Friendship Farm in Cangzhou.

       During the visit, CSSD and CPC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on promoting exchanges between the two parties. Association of Regions of Czech Republic, Association of Majors and Lord Majors and Czech-China Chamber of Collaboration also signed MOUs with CPAFFC respectively on establishing bilateral cooperation.