By Xu Xiujun, deputy director of International Politics and Economics Department, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; cartoon drawing by Liao Tingting, Chi Ying

Chinese President Xi Jinping started his state visit to Poland on June 19 after concluding a Serbia visit. Poland deployed fighter jets to escort Xi's plane when it entered into Polish territory.

Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan visited the Palace Belwederski, Poland's presidential residence, where Xi and Polish President Andrzej Duda discussed China-Poland friendship and developments. On June 20, Xi attended a grand welcoming ceremony hosted by Duda at the presidential palace in Warsaw.

Ahead of his visit, Xi published an article on the leading Polish newspaper, Rzeczpospolita, entitled, "Setting Sail for Full Speed Progress of China-Poland Friendship," which aroused much support from the Polish people.

Poland is located at the heartland of Europe is where the Amber Road and the Silk Road meet. And Poland is a "bellwether" of East European members of the European Union. China and Poland have a long tradition of friendship. Bilateral ties have sailed into a "fast track" mode since establishing a strategic partnership in 2011. Xi's visit was highly-appreciated by Poland.

Polish people are hoping to bring a historical opportunity to deepen development of bilateral relations, and usher in new prospects for the docking of the Belt and Road Initiative and China-CEE(Central East Europe) "16+1" cooperation.

They look forward to China-Poland friendship setting sail at full speed ahead with a win-win approach to open a new chapter for an upgraded strategic partnership.