Prague 2 is located in the city centre, and is therefore heavily burdened by traffic. At the same time, however, it falls within the urban conservation area and the Prague Heritage Area. My wish is to develop Prague 2, with respect to traditions and openness to new trends. We care for our part of the city, yet we do not forget that the city is supposed to serve its residents. Like other world capitals, Prague is struggling with the complex issue of how to solve traffic. We, in Prague 2, for example, are currently fighting against poorly set rules for micro-transport (bike-sharing companies). Scattered scooters often and dangerously lie in the middle of the sidewalk, and their careless users endanger pedestrians with their riding – these issues trouble Prague residents. Everything would be easier if traffic in Prague was managed more conceptually, and uniform rules were set.

Do you see any major challenges for you and your colleagues on the journey towards reaching your set goals?

Without a doubt, the leadership of the capital city of Prague is an important partner for city districts. In recent years, we have found ourselves in difficult situations due to different political leadership and different ideas. I believe that soon this situation will stabilize, and we will find a common way to manage our metropolis. Municipal districts need a stable partner for their planning, and the people of Prague need the certainty that Prague will only draw on its strengths.

Dealing with criticism is an inherent part of a politician’s life. What is your approach to this matter?

Politics has always been, and always will be, about finding compromises. I try as much as possible to perceive the opinions of my colleagues, as well as the opposition, and, last but not least, our citizens. I declared during my re-election that I want to continue to be the mayor for all, without distinction, and that my door is always open to everyone.

Alexandra Udženija, Mayor of Prague 2

Four years from now, which tasks would you like to have fulfilled for the people to say that you were successful?

We are entering this election period at a time of high inflation, and a price crisis in the energy market in connection with the war in Ukraine. That’s why we think of everyone who might need our help. We are looking for ways to help both families and individuals. We also support entrepreneurs who do not have favourable conditions for their businesses. We are trying to hold Prague 2 together.

We are planning an economic analysis of all of our properties that belong to the municipal district. We rent our apartments through public auctions. In short, we are looking for the most efficient way to rent apartments, including their renovations.

In my particular area, I consider the most important task to be to complete the preparatory work for the construction of a new social service centre. It is an ambitious but meaningful project for the city district. The population is ageing – within 20 years the number of seniors over 75 in Prague 2 will double – and it is necessary to provide care for these people. We already have a problem in Prague, with the lack of capacity to place elderly homes in order to provide them with the care they need. At the same time, it is our duty to take care of the older generations of our parents and grandparents.

When you think about all the deals you have made in your years at Neeco, which was your favorite and why?

About five years ago I worked on a large-scale project for our telecom partner Tata Communications to provide connectivity to Air France KLM offices in 22 APAC airports and over 150 local airline offices spread across the globe. I had the chance to visit 17 Asian countries with our partners from Tata. It was truly a master class in international salesmanship as I got to witness how my counterparts adjusted their strategies and tactics depending on the local culture we were working in. In Bali, our interactions with airport management were rather informal. The meetings in Tokyo were quite the opposite. I was even given a chance to demonstrate what I had learned when the Tata representatives were denied a visa to visit Saudi Arabia and it was up to me to secure the deal.

When you think about the next 5 years in the global ICT industry, what developments or advancements are you most interested in following?

In the past few years there has been a shift from industry giants like Cisco to smaller and more nimble equipment manufacturing providers like our partners— Versa Networks. The newer, more agile companies are disrupting the market and challenging these bigger, legacy companies. From our perspective, this is great as Neeco works well with the comparatively smaller players as we can fill in gaps in their portfolios like managed services, distribution and planning.

On a different note, the advancements in AI, like Chat GPT, will bring changes in almost every industry. Ours is no exception. From my experience I can say service desks will be drastically changed by developments in chatbot technology. I am fascinated to watch how this will impact our work.

On the other hand, the most unpleasant event occurred last year, when I found out that vandals damaged the World War I Serbian army mausoleum and cemetery. Allow me to remind you that Jindřichovice was the largest concentration camp ever established by the Austro-Hungarian authorities during World War I. It was in the western region of the Czech Republic, along the border with Germany, near Karlovy Vary. It is estimated that around 10,000 Serbs (civilians and soldiers) were killed in Jindřichovice over four years. Honestly, it was strange to me that such things were happening in a consolidated democracy like the Czech Republic.

What is the current status of Czech-Serbian relations?

Throughout history, Serbia and the Czech Republic have always had excellent relations. In the 14th century, historical records confirm that two great rulers, Serbian Emperor Dušan the Strong and Czech King Charles IV, had excellent relations.

The continuity of friendly relations between the two nations is confirmed by the friendship between King Aleksandar Karađorđević and Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. The first Czechoslovak president, T. G. Masaryk, was persecuted by the Austro- Hungarian army during World War I, therefore he travelled with Serbian passports that are still kept in the Czech Academy of Sciences. Today, the Republic of Serbia and the Czech Republic have no open questions. Bilateral cooperation has been established, which is confirmed by frequent visits at the highest political level. Trade in 2021 was at a record high and increased by 21%. All data indicates that 2022 will be even better, despite the severe economic and energy crisis, as well as the war events in Ukraine. Czech investments in the Republic of Serbia grow every year.

What recommendations can you give to Czech tourists travelling to Serbia?

Serbia is a beautiful country, with many authentic and beautiful landscapes. When you spend your vacation in Serbia, we recommend that you see the Kopaonik National Park (with the Jelovarnik waterfall), the Uvac nature reserve, Vlasin Lake, Semeteško Lake (with floating islands that represent a real attraction), Krupajsko Vrelo, Đavolja Varoš, Rajačke Pimnice, the Ancient Palace of Felix Romuliana, Serbian monasteries such as Studenica, Sopoćani, Žiča, and so on.

In recent years, Serbia has been developing rural tourism, which is very popular and enjoyed by an increasing number of tourists. Belgrade has become a famous European destination, attractive to all tourists around the world. Besides the old city, the Kalemegdan fortress, a new modern part of the city („Belgrade Waterfront“) has emerged. Tourists adore Belgrade, not only because of its rich historical program and large number of cultural events, but also for its rich nightlife. This includes restaurants by the Sava and Danube rivers, with traditional Serbian cuisine and wines that are becoming increasingly popular in the market. I try to promote Serbia as an attractive tourist destination at every opportunity. In addition, the embassy has contacts with the tourist organization of Serbia, hence we communicate with our colleagues from the Czech Republic regarding new trends and opportunities for cooperation in the field of tourism.

What do you do in your free time?

Frankly, I don’t have much free time. If I had to give a short answer, it would be that I take walks in nature, read, and write. I use my free time to spend more time with my family, and enjoy nature in famous Prague parks. I like to read quality literature, good books and novels, and also follow the latest professional medical journals. Finally, I also like to write, and classify my scientific achievements in the field of surgery. I am currently working on a surgical textbook for medical students.

Does your country want to join the EU and NATO?

Serbia has a clear European path, and wants to share European values. The Republic of Serbia is very keen to achieve this goal, and is fully aware of the importance of the tasks and challenges that lie ahead. Negotiations on the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between the European Union and Serbia began in November 2005, and this agreement, as well as the follow-up to the Transitional Agreement on Trade and Trade Matters (2005) treaty, were both signed in 2008.

After changing the methodology, we opened only the 4th cluster in December 2021, although we had also prepared the 3rd cluster. I would rather not comment on all the reasons for this long and difficult European journey of Serbia.

When we talk about NATO, the situation is different. Serbia wants to remain a neutral country. I think it is not yet the right time to discuss membership in NATO, even though all the surrounding countries of the Western Balkans have become members. The memories and suffering of the Serbian people since the NATO bombing in 1999 are still fresh.

Life in shelters, while planes are flying above you and rockets are falling, life under sanctions – it is something that cannot be easily forgotten.

In February, Serbia celebrates its National Day. What do you wish for your country?

The Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia, on February 15th, is also the Day of the Constitution of Serbia, as well as the day of commemoration of the beginning of the Serbian Revolution – the first Serbian uprising. What I wish for my people, my Serbia, I also wish for the Czech people – which is peace and prosperity. We are living in difficult, uncertain times with the war in Ukraine. We are facing devastation and tragedy, where the innocent civilian population of two nations are suffering.

I hope that reason will prevail, and there will be peace and prosperity again. War has never brought anyone anything good. We will pray for peace.

On the edge of a bluff overlooking the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean on one side, and the lush vegetation of Bali on the other David is leading his team to construct the biggest Neano Resort project so far. Neano Cliff is built on six acres of a private seaside sanctuary. The Cliff features 70 luxury villas, a restaurant that accommodates 500 people, a top-notch nightclub to host high-profile parties presented by world- class DJs, wellness and fitness facilities, swimming pools, a private beach accessible by an elevator, a heliport, and much more. Working an average of 12 hours a day, he organizes hundreds of workers and multiple heavy machinery vehicles, to elevate what has once protected wilderness into a tranquil vacation resort. One that still serves as a playground for the long-tailed Macaques monkeys who call the cliff their home.

David, thank you for finding time for a short interview. The first question is obvious- what drew your focus to Bali, specifically its east coast? Bali has tremendous business potential due to its great appeal for holiday travelers. It’s the perfect combination of pure exotics and a superb infrastructure for visitors. Travelers can expect comfortable accommodation in some of the world’s best hotels and villas, great cuisine, a high level of safety, a year-round tourist season, and a stable Indonesian economy. The average accommodation rates in Bali are over 70%, which is very high compared to the majority of other vacation destinations, including Europe, making it a fantastic investment opportunity as well.

When and how did you get involved in Neano projects?

Normally, it would be extremely hard to break into the development field in Bali as a newcomer. The competition is high, the amount of money involved is often incredibly large, and strong players control all the optimal spots. However, the Covid crisis changed the rules of the game and opened the window of opportunity for a small period of time. When the whole tourism industry was paralyzed during the pandemic, we decided to act fast and negotiate the acquisition of a perfect site for development. Also, a majority of construction projects were put on hold at that time. Therefore, we were able to put together a capable team in a comparatively short amount of time. Normally, contractors are booked out years in advance with other projects. This too changed in our favor. So together with my business partners, we took the opportunity, acquired the land, and started the development literally overnight. That is how the Neano project was born.

Can you describe the Neano resort and its philosophy?

I discovered the land where we developed the Neano resort five years ago. At the time I had no way of knowing if we would ever be able to develop this land but still, I felt connected with this area and consider it the real Bali. After we started building the five-star Neano resort, which opened in 2022, we discovered the cliff. We knew we had to build here and create an opportunity for others to experience this utter paradise. Neano Cliff is set to open in 2023 and we could not be more excited.

Can you name a few reasons that make the Neano Cliff development so unique?

The location itself and its spatial relationship with the water—nestled on a cliffside with panoramic views accessible by every guest. As I mentioned, this part of Bali, surrounded by untouched nature, is the truest representation of Bali from my perspective. Combining this natural beauty with the standard of accommodation our high-end, European clientele is accustomed to, sets Neano apart from other resorts.

From an architectural perspective, are there any specific features about the villas you would like to highlight?

Since my early childhood, I’ve been in love with creating beautiful and functional structures. We want to create a resort that is not only beautiful at first sight, but has a solid, high-quality buildout, able to withstand guests’ demands for decades. I am very busy making slight adjustments to the project, having discussions with construction companies, governmental bodies and legal entities to ensure our vision is fulfilled. From a purely architectural perspective, one big advantage of the cliff is that the villas can be placed in a cascading arrangement providing every villa with a breathtaking ocean view.

We have seen investment villas developed as a part of the resort, are there any available? What is on the horizon for Neano resorts?

All the villas are sold out but we are preparing an additional few to be built on the black sand beach located under the cliff as part of Neano Cliff Bali. I recommend anyone interested to get in touch with us.

Where can we find more information?

You can find information on Instagram @neano_cliff and website www.neanoresort.com.

It is not only passive houses, but also sustainable buildings in general, that represent the future. Unfortunately, the construction industry, although undergoing fundamental changes, is still one of the biggest polluters. It is responsible for up to 38% of global CO2 emissions. New buildings are already built with certain energy efficiency standards that meet the ambitious requirements of the Paris Agreement. However, the biggest potential for improvement and mitigation of the climate change impact can be found in already existing buildings. In the Czech Republic, the average age of residential buildings is 50 years old. It is assumed that 80% of the current existing buildings will still be here in 30 years. That is why the deep renovation of existing buildings is equally important as the designing of new ones.

The reality is that money always comes first, and therefore it is important to ask: is it more expensive to build a sustainable building?

Actually, if you take the “green” approach from the beginning (i.e. starting from the planning and design stage), the extra costs are negligible. What you invest in technology and solutions you will get back through long-term savings during the operation of the building. Furthermore, modern buildings are designed to provide energy efficiency, but, more importantly, they should ensure a comfortable and healthy indoor environment. This means that there should be a large enough supply of fresh air, good quality acoustics, well- balanced natural and artificial light, a sufficient level of humidity, and a comfortable temperature. We spend up to 90% (!!) of our lifetime in buildings, so all these aspects have a strong impact on our wellbeing.

Are the European Union and Czech government supporting this construction approach – not only rhetorically but also financially?

There is a number of both EU and local grant programs that support the use of sustainable solutions. They not only support energy efficiency and savings, but also quality indoor environment, green roofs or rainwater, and grey water management in both new and renovated buildings. The best-known local grant is called ‘New Green Savings’, which supports, among others, the construction of family and multi-family houses that meet the “passive” standards.

The Green Building movement strives to improve people’s quality of life. Can you give us your advice for creating a better quality of life?

Prioritize and enjoy every moment. We have the privilege of living a luxurious quality of life. In my case, I best relax on the golf course or the ski slopes, depending on the season. Or I simply laze around with my family and friends in our country house with a nice glass of wine. However, we should certainly think about the quality of life of our children and further generations too, and behave and act in a way that is preserving it for them.

I remember it wasn’t that good, although it was good for magic beginners. When I performed it for my first audience, my family, they liked it. When somebody asks me for a simple trick for beginners, I usually suggest card tricks. That ́s because basic card tricks are usually easy to learn, yet they are pretty effective. There is just one problem with card tricks – you need to carry cards with you all the time. So maybe, especially in the case of little kids wanting to start with magic, my suggestion would be a simple coin trick, like, for example, ‘vanish’ – people usually carry one or more coins with them. Making money appear is generally a good thing too. Everybody can make it disappear.

When did you perform your first magic show?

My first magic show, in public, took place in a magic competition in Jičín. Luckily, Jičín was just 20 kilometres from my home so my granddad didn’t have a problem driving me there. I was eleven and was pretty nervous. I had never performed in public or in front of other magicians before.

I prepared four card tricks, and competed with them. I came in 3rd in the juniors’ competition. Fortunately, the magicians there were so generous, and they gave me suggestions afterwards on how I could improve my magic. So, I’ve been doing magic for 9 years, and have been performing it in public since 2015. I was always a diligent student of magic, but had always taken it as a hobby. At the beginning of 2020, I flew to London for a magic convention because, as a young magician, I got free entry. The only thing I had to do to get (my free entry) was to perform in a charity show, which I did in Jičín again. This London event was one of the biggest magic conventions in Europe. Besides me, there were, I think, 10 other magicians from the Czech Republic, and, in total, around 700 magicians from all parts of the world. It was a full 3 days of magic performances, talks, and lectures. I never saw anything like that before, the atmosphere was so great. There, I realized that I’d love to do magic full-time, as a professional magician. From then on, I’ve been practising for many hours a day, every day.

What is your favourite magic trick, and why?

I’m gonna talk about two if that’s okay. The first one is for my stage show. In this trick, everybody in the audience gets four different cards. They shuffle the cards and throw one card away at a time. In the end, everybody is holding just one card. And the card is the same for everyone. I love this trick the most because everybody in the audience takes part in it. The only downside is that if I have a show for 500 people, then I would need 2,000 cards. On the other hand, the more people do this trick, the more powerful the trick is. Imagine seeing all the people with one card that matches yours – that is just a wonderful moment, which you rarely see in magic tricks. When you watch a magic show you usually don’t get involved in the magic trick, so it’s nice to have something like that.

Another favourite trick of mine is great for just a small group, or perhaps one person. I borrow their phones and make them disappear. No, just kidding, people don’t like it when you make their phones disappear. I borrow their phones and find a celebrity in them. Then they are asked to think of any celebrity. I correctly guess which celebrity it is, and voila! It is in their phone, which I haven’t touched from the beginning. Since nowadays we use our phones for many hours a day, magic with smartphones is very popular, and I try to incorporate and invent tricks with phones more, and include them into my magic.

What is magic? Is it science, art, a trick, or reality?

That is a difficult question. The answer may depend on the way each magician perceives magic. In my opinion, magic is art. That is because you aren’t just inventing a secret – how the trick is done – but also, which is more important, (you invent) how to present the trick to the audience. If I want to include a new trick in my show, I first must think about the presentation, so that it fits nicely into the show. I then must think about the effect and how to achieve it – the secret of the trick. Or, a company might want me to invent a custom magic trick, for example, like the appearance of their new product for product launch. I can’t only think of the secret and how to make it appear, but also need to think of the presentation so that it is engaging and memorable for the audience. And yes, some people do perceive magic as reality, as something that I can do. This happens very occasionally, but those people exist. It is hard to convince them that I don’t have any magical power, any gift from God. In the past, doing magic tricks meant just one thing, that you are a witch.

You were officially accredited as Finland’s ambassador to Czechia in July of this year. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your impressions so far?

Regarding myself, I can say that I feel almost as young as I was when entering the foreign service in 1997. Recently, less than twenty years ago, I have found some grey hairs. My daughter has grown up and studies in Helsinki, and we are enjoying Prague with my wife Marjut Kuokkanen. I love ice swimming and will continue it here if possible. Like all Finns, we have a summer cottage back home, to be precise actually two, one at a lakeside and the other with a field view.

And my impressions of the Czech Republic? Friendly, polite, and welcoming. It really feels good to be here and sense that Finland is an interesting partner for Czechs.

In my free time, I like to learn about Czech and Slovak society. I have recently taken up Czech lessons, so I try to work on my language skills. The study of languages is my big passion. My wife and I have been living in the Czech Republic for quite a short time yet, so we like to walk around the town a lot and explore not just Prague but the whole beautiful Czech Republic.

What is the most difficult part of being an ambassador?

Leaving the country where one has served. In four years, you have learnt the local politics, colleagues, and culture, and are now able to navigate through society. You have most likely made friends as well. And then, all of a sudden, you are in another culture because of the rotation system. However, I must admit, this is one of the best, nicest, and most rewarding parts of being an ambassador at the same time, too.

Before coming here, you were assigned to other countries by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and prior to that, you were in Lebanon with UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon). Based on your experience, can you give a piece of advice to the next generation of ambassadors, please? The business is changing, be interested in everything around you, especially in digitalization. Next-generation diplomats must understand not only human interaction but also the digital environment. You may not have a car and driver, so be prepared to use public transport or a bicycle.

Your country applied for NATO membership. What benefits can be expected from that?

NATO membership will strengthen Finland’s security in the changed security environment, and improve stability and security in the Baltic Sea region and Northern Europe. Finland’s strong defence capability and resilience to crisis will also strengthen NATO and the collective defence of the Alliance. With Finland and Sweden becoming NATO members, the threshold for using military force in the Baltic Sea region will rise, which will enhance the stability of the region in the long term. NATO is a stabilizing actor in the Baltic Sea region.

When Finland and Sweden join NATO, all the Nordic countries will be NATO members. This means that the Nordic countries can advocate together for issues important to them within the Alliance.

Finland is a holiday destination favourite. How do you promote your country?

By now, everybody knows that Finland is cool. It is a good destination in the summer because it is not too hot, and in the winter because it is nice and cold. Nature is one of the advantages of Finland, but you can also find fine dining and cultural events in the middle of nowhere. As an example, I can mention Mänttä-Vilppula, a fantastic culture town about 300 kilometres north of Helsinki. In the middle of the forests.

The presidency of the Czech Republic in the EU Council started in July this year. What are you, as a representative of your country, expecting?

Success.

Indeed. What about the status of Czechia-Finland relations, can you evaluate that?

Bilateral relations are excellent. We are very much like- minded partners, the cooperation is based on shared values, and EU membership, plus Finland’s and Sweden’s accession to NATO, will further deepen our relations.

This interview is done on the occasion of your National Day. What comes to your mind in this context?

Independence has never been self-evident in Finland. We have a country, which is worth defending, and I hope that the will for that becomes even bigger. Trust in authorities and politicians has been very high and I hope it remains this way. The future must be built by new generations, and climate change requires us to find sustainable solutions and the replacement of fossil energy. It is important also for our security.

We have briefly revealed some information regarding your background already. Can you tell us more about yourself, please?

As you said, I was born into the humble family of a diplomat. I am the eldest child of the family which means I am the boss. My parents have always encouraged me to have confidence in myself, and thanks to that I love to have adventures and challenges in my life. In the same way, due to the love and care that I received from my family, I was taught to perceive life in its fullest form. The truth is that nothing is just rosy in life. However, together with my family, I am proud to be Thai and I love to contribute as a member of Thai society.

As a child of a diplomat, I had no passion for the idea of me becoming a diplomat myself, as I had seen my father’s working life since my early childhood. In the hard times, though, my father asked me to do just that, and I gave him my promise. Voila! I passed one of the most challenging exams of my life, and became a full-fledged diplomat in 1987. Since then, three decades have passed. And in 2017, I was promoted to Ambassador of Thailand.

You have been serving in the Czech Republic for one year so far. What is your experience of a diplomat’s life in our country and elsewhere?

First, I have to say that Prague is not an unknown place to me, as I have visited this beautiful city many times as a tourist. I am certainly honored to have the opportunity to live and work in the Czech Republic. I appreciate the Czech Republic for its beauty in historical, cultural, and natural aspects, and the good and hospitable nature of the people. During my 35 years of service in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, I have been posted in six countries. I am very happy that the Czech Republic is where I serve my last posting before retirement.

The professional background of 35 years of service certainly gives you the right to give advice to the young generation of diplomats. Can you share some of your experience with our readers?

As a member of a diplomat’s family, I have been groomed to the challenging and hectic lifestyle of this profession since childhood. The position of an ambassador is another honorable hat that I am wearing. In all positions, I have been committed to full responsibility and dedication.

One (piece of advice) is to do your very best every day, and with an open mind. Challenges can be changed into opportunities by this mindset. You need to be observant, to be able to have “a good story to tell” in all circumstances. It also helps if you enjoy travelling and being exposed to new people and environments, as I do.

Thailand is known as a popular holiday destination. How do you promote your country?

Thailand is fortunate to possess a treasure of natural landscapes from beaches to mountains, as well as a rich cultural heritage such as Thai cuisine, Thai massage, and the Buddhist way of life. All of these are a perfect combination for a holiday destination.

Even though you can say that a good product sells itself, we, in fact, owe a big part of our success to the efforts of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and their offices all over the world. More precisely, Team Thailand, which comprises of the Royal Thai Embassy and other government offices in a particular country, regularly collaborate on organizing events about Thailand. And what they all have in common is including tourism elements in their context.

I would also like to mention that Thailand now positions our tourism as green travel. We are the first country to implement the UNESCO Sustainable Travel Pledge nationwide. More than 500 hotels have signed the pledge to eliminate single-use plastic and promote local culture, such as using local elements for decoration.

What is the status of Czechia – Thailand relations?

Both Thailand and the Czech Republic have enjoyed amicable relations for almost 50 years, but our connections can be dated back to the time of the royal visit of King Rama VII and Queen Rambhai Barni to Czechoslovakia in 1934, or even earlier to the historical record of the first presence of Czech missionaries to Thailand in the 17th century.

Both countries share common values, from human rights and democracy to a sustainability approach. Certainly, when you have found a good like-minded friend, you expect your relationship to grow into a partnership.

That is what is being promoted by both sides. There are more areas where we can create synergies – Thailand can provide food security, share the concept of sustainable development through the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy for development, and collaborate on cyber security and the space program. At the same time, Czechia can become another education destination for Thai students, as well as a partner in two-way tourism.

In any case, I look forward to celebrating the 50th anniversary of Thai – Czech diplomatic relations in 2024.

H.E. Phasporn Sangasubana, Ambassador of Thailand

The Czech Republic started its second EU Council presidency term in July. What are you, as a representative of Thailand, an ASEAN member state, expecting in this regard?

I applaud the outward-looking perspectives of the Czech Republic. The Prague high-level dialogue on the Indo-Pacific has expanded beyond the policymakers to engage with the business and academic sectors, resulting in the well-reflected views of society in the region. I myself witnessed the Czech Republic’s approach of transforming “words” from dialogue into “actions”.

I appreciate the Czech Republic for forging practical relationships with non-EU countries like Thailand and other ASEAN member states, on contemporary agendas like environment, space technology, and cyber security. My expectation is that Czechia is able to instil many constructive initiatives, Indo-Pacific being one of them, created under its presidency into the EU agenda so that they are active and will become more meaningful under subsequent presidencies. ASEAN is a dynamic and high-potential region that has a lot to offer – for example, abundant resources (especially human capital), and growing markets.

So, I look forward to the 45th anniversary of ASEAN-EU relations, occurring under the presidency of the Czech Republic in the EU Council, at the end of this year.

You are giving this interview on the occasion of the National Day of Thailand. Do you have any wishes for your country on this special day? And maybe for the Czech Republic too?

I think I may sound like a beauty pageant contestant now, but let me share my wish for peace all over the world, including for both Thais and Czechs. Whenever a conflict arises, no matter which corner of the world, everyone is affected by its ripples.

Nature is what binds Latvian people to their land and culture. Singing is another local tradition that unites Latvian people both at home and abroad. The Latvian Song and Dance Festival is an official part of the UNESCO Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It gathers around 50,000 choral singers, folk dancers, and tens of thousands of viewers.

Latvian cities, especially Riga, offer plenty of options for those who enjoy walks, lively cultural scenes, iconic art-nouveau architecture, and medieval buildings in Old Riga.

Like Czechs, Latvians love beer. Although they drink less of it in a year than the Czechs do, they still cannot let go of the frothy drink. When Czechs crave the taste of home while visiting Riga, it is available on almost every corner, sometimes even in stylish settings, such as a pub called Sveiks, Švejk! (Hi, Švejk!).

Both Latvia and the Czech Republic are ice-hockey nations. Next year, Latvia is hosting the World Championship, and the year after it will take place in Czechia.

Celebration of Latvian National Day at the Embassy in Prague, with the Latvian diaspora and Czech friends

What is the current status of Czech – Latvian relations?

We have excellent and friendly relations, and I am sure we will continue to build strong bonds in politics, economy, security, culture, and people-to-people contacts.

The most positive element of our cooperation is the presence of Czech soldiers in the NATO mission in Latvia, where they are together with nine other nations in the Canadian-led battlegroup.

Cultural cooperation is particularly prominent. Artists and musical bands perform in concert halls, while museums and galleries exhibit visual arts. Joint co-production of films has gained momentum, and Latvian movies were shot at Barrandov Studios.

The presidency of the EU Council is one of the most important rights and demanding tasks of EU member countries. How do you rate our current performance?

The Czech Presidency of the EU Council is doing impressive work in a complicated international environment.

Latvia shares all of the Czech Presidency priorities, but most of all we appreciate the very firm support that the Czechs are offering to Ukraine.

The Czech Presidency is really fulfilling its motto, “Europe as a Task: Rethink, Rebuild, Repower”, and showing its leadership in the European Union.

This interview is for your National Day. Can you make a wish on this occasion?

My wish goes to people in both Latvia and Czechia – cherish your legacy of independence, and safeguard the statehood of your country! Whatever we do and wherever we go, let us remember our roots.

Before we come to modern times, what about a few words about Metrostav’s history?

Metrostav was founded in 1971 as a spin-off of the national company Vodní stavby, with the purpose of building the metro in Prague. In 1991, it was transformed into a joint-stock company, and gradually began activities in other sectors of the construction market.

Now, it operates in all segments of the construction industry, constructing not only underground structures but also transport, civil, ecological, and industrial structures. Metrostav continues to focus on its original segment – underground construction. Excavations are also carried out, using NRTM Drill&Blast, and TBM technologies. We are one of the few companies that excavate tunnels, subways, collectors, and other specific projects, while also using traditional mining methods.

You became the company’s Production Director last year. Has it changed anything in your life?

I have been in this position since July 2021. The view of the construction environment is more complex. In my work, I encounter a more diverse character of buildings, some of which I did not have much experience with before. Fortunately, the basic building principles are the same everywhere, and I can follow them.

In my free time, I keep my old habit of active relaxation. I am an active person and enjoy all kinds of sports, but mostly you can see me biking or skiing. When I exercise, I best clear my head, and get the best ideas too.

Today, Metrostav is the largest construction company in Czechia, and the third largest in Central and Eastern Europe. How many countries does Metrostav operate in?

Currently, Metrostav builds all over Europe. Most of our projects are in Scandinavia, in the segment of bridges and tunnels. We have other projects in Germany, for example. We operate in over 15 countries in Europe. The current situation is very complex, mainly because it is unstable and difficult to predict. I hope that the situation will stabilize soon, and that the decline in construction production expected today will not be so great. Metrostav will definitely handle this difficult period, and will be much stronger and more resilient once again.

Metrostav certainly is a big player in the market. What will happen if you could not participate in new public contracts for some time? How will it affect the construction market situation?

From my point of view, non-participation in public contracts will affect the entire Czech construction industry. During the celebration of 30 years of the Czech Chamber of Authorized Engineers and Technicians, when the chamber selected the 30 most important buildings of the last 30 years, Metrostav’s signature was on half of them. From this point of view, the construction market will be significantly affected.

What has been your greatest construction adventure so far?

The construction profession is all about implementing technical solutions, so we need to be prepared to carry out construction and we don’t like adventures. From a technical point of view, a very interesting building was the construction of the building above the Strahov Tunnel, where we built a residential house on the steel bridge, which spanned the two tubes of the tunnel.

I know it is like asking a father which child he loves best, however, is this the project you are most proud of?

I like all of the buildings, each of them was a great experience for me. Among those that influenced me the most was the above-mentioned Sacre Coeur 2 project above the Strahov tunnel, and for example the River Diamond in Prague Karlín, the River Park hotel Kempinski in Bratislava, and the Medvědín apartments in Špindlerův Mlýn. Even more than individual buildings, I am influenced by the people I work with and gather experience from. I have been very fortunate to have colleagues like that, and I thank everyone for their cooperation.

What is the biggest challenge and opportunity that you see ahead of the company right now?

We live in uncertain times, which we have not been used to for a long time. Dealing with the specific problems of the present will be difficult and complex, but Metrostav will certainly manage this time, just as it has managed many complex and demanding periods and constructions. Regarding technical and implementation challenges, we have plenty of them all the time. However, it will be very important for us to maintain and develop our construction art so that we are still able to carry out challenging projects, and at the same time also attract new and young technicians and craftsmen into the industry.

This interview is done on the occasion of your National Day. Do you have any wishes for your country?

On the occasion of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s celebration of the National Days, in commemoration of the establishment of the modern Bahraini State as an Arab and Muslim state, founded by Ahmed Al Fateh in 1783, and the anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne, I congratulate His Majesty the King, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the peoples of the Kingdom of Bahrain on this national celebration, and wish my country further prosperity and progress on all levels. I also wish the Czech Republic and its people happiness, health, and prosperity.

Can you please tell us about yourself?

I have a Master’s Degree in Business from Strathclyde University in Scotland. I am a humble and social person, which I believe are important characteristics for being a successful Diplomat. Aside from serving in London as a diplomat and Deputy Head of Mission, an Ambassador at the Permanent Representation of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations offices in both Geneva and Vienna, and Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, I also served as Undersecretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2009 to 2017. Holding the position of undersecretary was an exceptional opportunity to serve my country, and had allowed me to learn a great deal in the diplomatic field.

Cornel, you come from Romania. How did you build the largest supplier of door hardware in the Czech Republic?

I was born in Bucharest, Romania, and grew up there. After I finished the compulsory military training, I applied to university and was enjoying my younger years.

I met a girl from the Czech Republic and we got married, that’s how I ended up here. I didn’t forget where I came from, either. The truth is, in the beginning, I didn’t have much contact with Romania, but then I started seeing my sister there and we reunited. I began thinking about starting a business there as well, so I expanded Cobra to Romania. I opened a real estate business there, which blossomed into the construction of a new modern apartment building, right in the downtown area.

Kristina, how did the story go for you? How did you join your family business?

Well, my parents wanted to give me the best possible education, so I studied at an English College here in Czechia right until I graduated, and then did my bachelor’s degree in London. However, since I was always around Cobra from my early childhood, I knew I wanted to continue the legacy. You see, for me, it was absolutely obvious I would return to Prague and work here.

Can you tell us more about “door hardware”, and your clients?

Our biggest clients would be door manufacturers, because that’s who will offer you our door handle the moment you choose this element for your future apartment. We also sell to door and kitchen design studios etc., where people also come to choose their doors and handles for a new apartment or a reconstruction. Last but not least, our great clients are the DIY hobby markets. Altogether, we have customers from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Austria, and Croatia.

How should we go on about choosing the right door hardware? What are your expert tips?

Good question. Door hardware is a part of everyday life, and therefore it is necessary to pay adequate attention to its purchase. Both design and finishing play a big role in the final choice, however, there is an abundance of shapes, types, and combinations of fittings on the market. What you need to do is to choose a type that matches the interior design and expected use. What matters is timing. It often happens that you want to choose something too late because the items were already chosen by someone else, and you can’t decide on anything different.

What are your hottest products right now? And what can we expect in the future?

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we launched a collection of premium Q handles – Ultima, Spectra, and Infinity. In cooperation with the renowned designer Petr Novague, we developed handles that are modern, elegant, timeless, and solid. And what is most important – they are user- friendly and fantastically ergonomic. The entire collection has won the world’s most important design awards, including the Red Dot, which we are really proud of.

As of now, we are working on adding more products to this line, such as pull handles and fixtures for sliding doors. We are also working on a new variation of security- focused, easy lock handles. There is definitely a lot to look forward to!

Are you going to expand to new fields? Security systems, smart locks…

For that kind of security system and smart locks, you need to have a special team who knows how to set it up, and especially service it, which is not convenient for us at the moment.

Cornel, how is it to run the company that you founded, together with your daughter?

As a founder, I often have a certain point of view, and Kristina does not. It is exactly because she is not burdened by the past like me, and therefore has a fresh eye. But then again, things often need to be looked at from both perspectives.

What about you, Kristina, how do you feel about working with your father?

As he says, sometimes it is difficult to see eye to eye, but when we talk it through and lay all perspectives on the table, we always come to an agreement. We don’t live together, but we talk about work whenever we see each other, which means not only at work. When we disagree, we both try to push our opinion forward, but, in the end, we talk it through.

One more question for you, Kristina. Where do you see yourself and the company in 10 years?

I see myself in the company, maybe with a little successor of my own and my father overlooking it from a house in the Caribbean, where we could all come for a holiday. And as for the company, I still see it as number one on the market in its field, with a growing turnover.

It’s the end of 2022, can you both have a New Year wish to conclude our interview with?

We wish for everyone to stay healthy, because that is the most important thing of all. And secondly, we hope that the war and economic situation will return to normal, and we will all be able to continue to live and carry on doing business in peace.

Romania and the Czech Republic are strongly connected by the growing Romanian community in the Czech Republic and the historical Czech minority, present in Banat, in the Western part of Romania. They play a significant role in bringing us closer to each other by creating special people-to-people bonds.

The Czech Republic is also a significant economic partner for Romania, ranking 8th in the EU and 10th worldwide in our foreign trade. Economic cooperation is an important pillar of our bilateral relations, which we are interested in developing further. In 2021, the total volume of trade between Romania and the Czech Republic has reached a record level 5.1 billion Euros, 15.8% higher than the previous year. The current geopolitical and economic developments offer new opportunities for cooperation at a bilateral level in new and significant fields such as energy, transportation and logistics, tourism, agriculture, and food security.

The Romanian-Czech relations therefore have a solid foundation, a lot of potential, and a strong impetus for more cooperation in the future. As I like to say, we need to rediscover each other and work more closely together, because we have all the right premises to do so.

Romania has a long border with Ukraine. How is the war there affecting your country?

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has fundamentally changed European security and has had a multidimensional impact on our countries. It is a game changer that should prompt us to cooperate even more closely together – in the region, in the EU, and in NATO. Romania and the Czech Republic are both strongly engaged in supporting Ukraine – politically, militarily, and with humanitarian aid – in the context of the Russian aggression.

Moreover, the impact of the war in Ukraine became the top priority of the Czech Presidency of the EU Council, in all its aspects – support for territorial integrity, humanitarian assistance, and post-conflict reconstruction. Romania, as a frontline state having the longest external border with Ukraine, acted quickly and efficiently in support of our neighbouring country, both at the governmental level and at the level of civil society. We have sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine and received refugees on our territory, offering them support, accommodation, medical assistance, and support for social integration. In addition, we have set up a logistic hub in Suceava to collect and transport international humanitarian donations to Ukraine. We have taken all steps to streamline transit at the border crossing points and increase the capacity of our ports on the Danube and to the Black Sea, which became the main transit hubs for Ukrainian grain export.

The aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine has extremely strong effects on the Eastern Neighbourhood of the EU, especially Moldova, which you also share a border with. Does Romania take any actions in this regard?

The Russian aggression has increased the risk of regional destabilization, and the Republic of Moldova is the most vulnerable neighbour of Ukraine in the current context of this illegitimate war.

Given the special relations we have with the Republic of Moldova, based on the community of language, culture, and history, we have stepped up our bilateral support and raised awareness at the European level about the need to step up the engagement in support of this country with a pro-European leadership, in order to avoid further deterioration of the socio-economic situation.

A historic decision was the granting of candidate status to the Republic of Moldova at the June European Council, a decision for which Romania made sustained efforts, and which demonstrated the unity and strategic vision of the EU.

I would like to mention here another important initiative of Romania – the launching, together with Germany and France, the Moldova Support Platform. After the first meeting in Berlin in April, Romania hosted a second meeting on 15th July in Bucharest. We were satisfied to see the important financial support pledged by the participants – 615 million EUR, including 432.3 million EUR as direct grant assistance, which comes on top of the 659.5 million EUR of direct financial support for Moldova pledged at the inaugural Ministerial Conference in Berlin.

We are already working with the Republic of Moldova on the implementation of a 100-million-Euro project-based grant. At the same time, we recently disbursed direct budgetary support of 10 million Euros, announced in the framework of the Moldova Support Platform wit a view to assist Chisinau and its economy through these troubled times.

Also, on 14th October 2022, among other measures to help the Republic of Moldova ensure its stability in the energy sector, Romania started delivering electricity to the Republic of Moldova, after Ukraine stopped its supplies to the country in the context of the Russian attacks on Ukraine’s critical power plants.

We will continue and intensify our efforts to stimulate international financial assistance and to support the reforms, which are particularly relevant now, given the Republic of Moldova’s accession path.

As a child, I remember big Romanian ports, especially Galați, my hometown. Can Romania once again become the gate to Europe from the East?

I am glad you asked this question, since transport routes on the Danube and the Black Sea are subjects of growing interest in the dialogue between Romania and the Czech Republic. As mentioned in my previous answer, one of the consequences of the Russian aggression against Ukraine is that the Black Sea port of Constanţa, as well as the port of Galaţi, on the Danube, have become main transit hubs for Ukrainian grain export, and not only that.

The increase in fuel prices, the major disruptions in transports and supply chains for various goods caused by the war in Ukraine, and the overcrowding of the traditional west-European sea routes justify the interest in shipping goods to and from the Czech Republic and the wider Central Europe region using the facilities of our ports, the Danube, and the interconnected railway networks in a more efficient way.

I am glad to recall that, in June of this year, the Embassy of Romania organized a conference entitled “Romania‘s Black Sea Port of Constanta – a Strategic Hub for Europe”, with the participation of many officials and companies. The conference focused on promoting the strategic location of the port of Constanţa and the ports on the Danube River, and gave the opportunity for important business contacts.

H.E. Antoaneta Barta, Ambassador of Romania

On 11th October, Romania was re-elected as a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 period. What are the implications for Romania, and your priorities as a Council member?

Romania was proud to experience impressive support for joining the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 mandate. In the General Assembly, an overwhelming majority of UN member states voted in favour. Romania will serve for the third time in the Human Rights Council, after our successful mandates in 2006-2008 and 2011-2014.

Our future membership is consistent with our commitment to multilateralism, the rule-based international order, and the comprehensive approach to peace and security, and also sets in a wider global engagement for democracy and human rights.

We have a strong determination to focus on those main priority areas, where we believe our experience and proven commitment may generate positive transformations and a meaningful impact on the work of the Council. These include fostering democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, protecting and promoting the human rights of women and girls, countering discrimination, xenophobia, and racism, and enabling freedom of expression.

Another important date to mention is 1st July this year, the beginning of the Czech presidency in the EU Council. What expectations do you have, and will Romania become part of the Schengen area anytime soon?

As I mentioned, the Czech presidency of the Council of the European Union was deeply marked, and rightly so, by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, as well as its consequences.

Romania has expressed its full support for the Czech Presidency and the successful accomplishment of its objectives, which we fully share. This support was also reconfirmed during the visit of the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, to Prague, on 18th August 2022, when the two ministers had an in-depth exchange of views on the main topics on the agenda of the Czech EU Presidency.

We welcome the fact that the Czech government has succeeded in promoting and maintaining unity and solidarity among EU member states. Our expectation is that the EU remains united and committed to defending its own values during these challenging and volatile times.

We can say that the success of our host country at the helm of the EU is a success for Europe as a whole. Regarding Romania’s Schengen accession, we appreciate the strong support of the Czech authorities for this legitimate objective of my country. We are also grateful to the PRES CZ for having included the subjec of enlargement of the Schengen Area among the Presidency’s top priorities, and for actively pursuing this goal. At the same time, the resolution adopted by the European Parliament on 18th October sends an important political signal, and reiterates the broad institutional support for this objective.

As you know, Romania has already been fulfilling all the necessary criteria for joining the Schengen space since 2011. Also, in the context of the Ukrainian crisis, Romania proved, once more, that it has both the capacity and the commitment to face major challenges and to ensure effective management of the EU external border. Completing the integration of the Schengen Area will not only be a response to our country’s legitimate expectations over 15 years after its accession to the EU, but will also represent a step forward towards meeting our common goal, which is building a stronger, more resilient, and more cohesive Union.

You gave this interview on the occasion of your National Day. What do you wish for Romania? And for the Czech Republic?

Both Romania and the Czech Republic celebrate on their National Days historic events that marked a new geo-political era – the creation of the modern Romanian State on 1st December 1918, and the creation of Czechoslovakia on 28th October 1918, after the end of the First World War and the dissolution of the Austro- Hungarian Empire. 104 years later, we are experiencing turbulent times once again, with a war in Europe, at our borders.

In such times of crisis, I wish for both Romania and the Czech Republic to stay strong together in defence of our shared values, and to remember past solidarity and common history as a strong impetus for more cooperation in the future.

To my fellow citizens here in the Czech Republic and to all Romanians I extend my best wishes for peace, health, prosperity, and personal accomplishments.

La mulți ani România!

As you said, China is a vast country, and covers an area of over 9.6 million square kilometres. It has a beautiful landscape, with 318 national 5A-rated scenic spots and 45 national tourist resorts. By July 2021, the total number of China‘s world heritage sites had reached 56, among which 38 are cultural sites, 14 are natural sites, and 4 are mixed sites, including the Great Wall and the Forbidden City of Beijing. Different regions in China have various scenes and customs, and China’s regional cultures are diverse and colourful.

Moreover, China has enjoyed a rich food culture since ancient times, which emphasizes the seasonality, appearance, meaning and nutrition of food. The renowned Eight Cuisines of China are Anhui, Guangdong, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Sichuan, and Zhejiang. These cuisines have distinctive culinary styles, and I believe our Czech friends will find their favourites among them.

With this interview, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our Czech friends to visit China, and experience a real and wonderful China.

Thank you for this really nice overview of the enjoyable features that are part of the colourful country of China. Now, can you describe the current status of Czech-Chinese relations?

This is an important question. The Czech Republic was one of the first countries to recognize the People‘s Republic of China. This year marks the 73rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and the 6th anniversary of the establishment of a strategic partnership between China and the Czech Republic. History shows that friendly cooperation has always been the mainstream of China-Czechia relations, and mutual benefit and win-win results are the foundation of bilateral cooperation. In particular, since the Czech Republic joined the Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (the China-CEEC Cooperation) in 2012, the China-Czechia practical cooperation has continued to reach new levels.

According to the Czech Statistical Office, the bilateral trade volume between China and the Czech Republic increased by 120% from US$17.4 billion in 2012 to US$38.3 billion in 2021. Currently, the Czech Republic is China‘s second-largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe, while China is the Czech Republic‘s largest trading partner outside the EU. In addition, according to the statistics of the Chinese Embassy in the Czech Republic, Chinese investment in the Czech Republic increased from less than US$300 million in 2013 to US$1.7 billion in 2021. There are now more than 50 Chinese enterprises in the Czech Republic, covering traditional manufacturing sectors such as automobiles, machinery, home appliances, and chemicals, as well as emerging sectors such as information technology, new energy, and e-commerce.

China attaches great importance to the development of its relations with the Czech Republic, regards the Czech Republic as an important cooperative partner, and firmly believes that maintaining and growing a sound relationship between China and the Czech Republic best serves the common interests of the two countries and two peoples. For some time now, a small group of people in the Czech Republic, out of ideological prejudice and other reasons, have been interfering in China‘s internal affairs, undermining China‘s interests and causing adverse impacts. It should be pointed out that this group of people are incapable of preventing the people of the two countries from further developing friendly relations, let alone blocking China‘s development and progress. China stands ready to work with the Czech side, on the basis of the principles of mutual respect, equal treatment, and mutual benefits, to strengthen friendly cooperation in various fields, promote the sustained, sound, and steady development of bilateral relations, and create more benefits for the people of both countries.

The waiting time for a new electric car in Czechia has now exceeded one year. Since China is a leader in the field of new energy vehicles, I would like to ask when we would be able to find them, and especially the BYD SUV atto 3, on sale here.

This is a very interesting question. Thank you. In recent years, China has been making great efforts in developing a new energy vehicle (NEV) industry, and has more than 70 NEV brands. Now, there are around 600,000 NEV-related enterprises operating in China. In 2021, the output of new energy vehicles in China reached 3.545 million units, with a year-on-year growth of 159.5%. The sales volume was 3.521 million with a year-on-year growth of 157.6%, ranking the first in the world for seven consecutive years. The Chinese NEV industry strives to innovate technology, reduce costs, optimize services, and improve their brand image, and is rewarded with an increasing reputation in the global markets. In 2021, China exported 310,000 new energy vehicles with a year-on-year increase of nearly three times, accounting for one third of the world’s export volume and making China the largest NEV exporter in the world. From 2021 to 2026, China’s production and sale of new energy vehicles are projected to grow at an average annual rate of over 40%.

At present, there are several Chinese NEV brands selling in the Czech Republic. SAIC MG is one of them, and the sales volume of SAIC MG has been nearly 300 units in 2022. Some other brands are actively exploring the Czech market at the moment. I hope Czech customers could have the opportunity to buy the BYD atto 3 and other models from local dealers in the near future, and we look forward to more and more trade and investment cooperation between China and the Czech Republic in the field of new energy vehicles.

H.E. Feng Biao, Ambassador of China with Miloš Zeman, President of Czech Republic

This interview is given on the occasion of the National Day of China. What wishes do you have for your motherland, and for the Czech Republic?

In the 73 years since the founding of the People‘s Republic of China on 1st October, 1949, and especially in the over 40 years of reform and opening up, China has made impressive achievements in development, and both its comprehensive national power and the living standard of the Chinese people have improved significantly. We have completed the historical task of eradicating absolute poverty and finishing building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and have embarked on a new journey toward building a modern socialist country in all respects. In 2021, China‘s GDP reached 114 trillion yuan (approximately CZK 376 trillion) and accounted for 18.5% of the world economy. China has firmly remained the world’s second-largest economy. It has entered the ranking of the most innovative countries of the world, with the second highest nationwide R&D spending and the largest cohort of R&D personnel in the world, and has achieved major successes on multiple fronts, including manned spaceflight and Moon and Mars exploration. China has built the world‘s largest education, social security, and healthcare systems, and is recognized as one of the safest countries. The average life expectancy of the Chinese people has risen to 78.2 years.

Just as China cannot develop in isolation from the world, the world needs China for its development. In 2021, the total value of China‘s trade in goods and services grew to US$6.9 trillion, the stock of its investment in foreign countries exceeded US$2.6 trillion, and the cumulative foreign direct investment in China exceeded US$2.6 trillion. From 2017 to 2021, China ranked second in the world in attracting foreign investment for four consecutive years, and its outbound investment flows were among the top three in the world. China has become a major trading partner for over 140 countries, and has contributed up to 38.6% on average to and has become the main engine for world economic growth. We‘ll be steadfast in deepening reform and opening up across the board, as well as in pursuing high-quality development, and will create many more opportunities for the world through China’s own development.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish for my great motherland to be strong and prosperous, for my compatriots to be happy and healthy, and for the early realization of the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Meanwhile, I sincerely wish the Czech Republic peace and prosperity, and a brighter future for China-Czechia relations.

Please tell us about yourself and your journey to become a diplomat.

Well, this may be a bit too long to answer in detail, so I will make it brief. I must confess that becoming a diplomat was not my first career plan. As a kid I wanted to be a biologist. Later on, I fell in love with history, but it was just when I went to college that I discovered International Relations and decided that a diplomatic career was the right path for me.

I enjoy discovering what can bring people together, rather than focusing on their differences. When you exercise openness to new cultures, to a different world view, you discover that underneath we have much in common. Take Brazilians and Czechs: we share common values, and I like to think that as a diplomat I must try to emphasize these common traits.

During the hearing at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in November, you said: “We are going to have fairs with more products, and focusing on Brazilian regions…”. Can you tell us more about your plans?

It is not only Brazilian products that I want to bring to the Czech Republic. I also want to promote Brazilian culture as well. Brazil has such a richness and diversity, but also cultural experiences that are sometimes similar to those of the Czechs. I have recently discovered that the Brazilian Cordel literature (Cordel in Portuguese means string, and these booklets are displayed hung on a string), which is popular and grassroot chapbooks sold in fairs to entertain and educate people, is like the art of storytelling known here from the medieval period. I intend to make an exposition showing both forms of art and what they have in common.

I also want to work together with our Portuguese friends to help promote the Portuguese language. We intend to have a lot of activities for people of all ages next June, when we celebrate Portuguese Language Day.

How would you describe the relationship between Czechia and Brazil?

The Czech Republic and Brazil relations go back a long way. Sometimes I joke and say that we have always been by your side, no matter what your current geographical configuration or political status was. Our countries have had political relations since 1921. Brazilian history is permeated by important Czech figures, especially from the period when Brazil was still a young empire and received Czech naturalists, painters, and artists. We have cities in Brazil created by Czechs, and, as is well known, we had a highly regarded President that was of Czech descent, Jucelino Kubitschek.

But, of course, we can always build more on top of this solid foundation. Brazil is a country that can offer opportunities to businesses and universities. It is a source of renewable energy, the third largest food producer in the world, and we also have a vibrant tech sector, so there are lots of opportunities to be explored by companies of both countries in a myriad of fields.

You have served in many countries. Can you share with us an adventure you have had?

As diplomats, we have many lives. Each country and each city give us an opportunity to discover new things, not only about the region but also about ourselves. We are touched by distinct kinds of beauty, curious ways of living, and new ideas. But for me, the Republic of Cabo Verde was where I learned more about our planet and about myself. I remember a trip to one of its islands, Fogo, a still-active volcano. I saw the most amazing night sky there, absolutely studded, as if you were near the stars there. But it was also in Cabo Verde that I thought I’d get stranded on one of those islands, when the car that we rented broke down in the middle of nowhere and we had no cell phone. Fortunately, we found someone to help our group! But you realize that some comforts are not common or given, and that we must be prepared to use our resources in curious ways.