National flags of China and Slovakia are seen at the Tian'anmen Square on October 31, 2024. Photo: IC

Calling it the most important trip of the year, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico kicked off his official visit to China on Thursday. This visit is also viewed as having significant practical and positive political implications by some Chinese analysts, who said that it could deepen pragmatic cooperation between Slovakia and China, establish a model for China-EU cooperation and help improve China-EU relations, especially amid ongoing disputes over tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs).

Fico arrived in Beijing on Thursday, reported Chinese news network CGTN.

During a session of the National Council of the Slovak Republic on October 24, Fico stated that he views the official visit to China as "the most significant trip of the year."  

Fico's visit to China holds significant and positive political implications. Over the past few years, he has adopted a pragmatic and friendly approach toward China, making Slovakia-China cooperation in strategic level a model among central European nations, Zhao Junjie, senior research fellow at the Institute of European Studies at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday. 

Fico had originally planned to visit China in June but had to postpone due to injuries he sustained from an assassination attempt in May, Slovak news website Hnonline.sk reported.

Zhao said that some Central and Eastern European countries, including Slovakia, have strong desire to collaborate with China in new energy sectors, especially in electric vehicles and battery production, and they remain open to Chinese investment. 

Given Europe's current economic downturn and high unemployment rate, attracting Chinese investment and fostering high-tech cooperation are  crucial for future development and will boost local economies, said Zhao, noting that Fico's visit underscores his pragmatic approach with the goal of strengthening economic and technological ties with China. 

The Prime Minister rejected claims that his trip threatens Slovakia's economy. 

According to him, if anyone threatens the economy of the Slovak Republic, it is the green deal approved by the EU. Next year, according to him, it will experience difficult economic times due to its decisions, according to news portal European Newsroom. 

On Tuesday, the European Union decided to impose the so-called countervailing duties on Chinese EVs, ranging from 17 percent to 35.3 percent, according to the European Commission's press release. 

Zhao said that against the background of trade frictions, political trust between China and the EU has somewhat weakened. Some countries face challenges in maintaining strategic autonomy amid great power game, particularly in light of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the EU's increasing alignment with the US. Therefore, Fico's China visit holds particular significance, Zhao noted. 

Slovakia and Hungary stand out among Central and Eastern European nations for their pragmatic approach toward China, and high-level interactions are vital for improving China-Europe relations, the expert said.