Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Slovak President Zuzana Caputova in Bratislava, capital of the Slovak Republic on Wednesday, pledging to enhance bilateral ties based on political mutual trust.

Noting this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Wang called on China and Slovakia to further deepen political mutual trust and practical cooperation on the basis of respecting each other's core interests and major concerns.

Wang said that the China-Slovakia relations are facing an important historic opportunity, and his visit carries the hopes of "extending friendship, rebuilding trust and seeking cooperation."

He stressed the two sides should make joint efforts to seize the opportunity to inherit the past and usher in the future, tapping into the potential of bilateral cooperation and advance exchanges at higher levels in light of mutual respect, mutual trust, and mutual benefit.

China welcomes Slovakia to actively participate in the joint construction of the Belt and Road and jointly promote China-European Union (EU) and China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) cooperation, Wang said, encouraging Slovakia to play a constructive role in China-Europe relations, and promoting multilateralism, democracy, harmony and win-win solutions in international relations.

For her part, Caputova said that Wang Yi is her first foreign guest since her inauguration. Slovakia attaches great importance to developing its relations with China and will adhere to the one-China policy and safeguard the political basis of bilateral relations. The Slovak side is willing to take the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to strengthen pragmatic cooperation with the Chinese side in politics, trade and investment.

On Wednesday, Wang also held a meeting with his Slovak counterpart Miroslav Lajcak. The two agreed to uphold multilateralism and further deepen cooperation within the Belt and Road Initiative.

Wang Yi is currently on a week-long visit to Poland, Slovakia and Hungary from July 7 to 13. He has already visited Poland and is scheduled to visit Hungary after Slovakia.