UPDATE - China backs sustainable European security framework: Xi tells Polish president

UPDATES WITH REMARKS BY XI, DUDA; CHANGES HEADER, DECK; EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - China’s President Xi Jinping Monday said Beijing supports a sustainable European security framework but is opposed to those who use China-Russia trade relations as an “excuse to shift focus” and “smear China,” state media reported.

“China encourages and supports all efforts conducive to a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine Crisis and promotes the establishment of a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security framework,” Xi told Polish President Andrzej Duda.

Duda is on a five-day state visit to China and the two held talks at the Great Hall of the People after a welcome ceremony.

On the bilateral front, Xi said China will grant a 15-day unilateral visa-free policy for citizens of Poland, a member of NATO and the European Union.

“China welcomes more high-quality Polish agricultural and food products into the Chinese market and supports the expansion of two-way investment,” Xi said, adding that Beijing hopes that Poland “will provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises.”

The annual trade volume between the two nations is around $23 billion.

Duda on X said he thanked Xi for inviting him to China, saying it is important to build mutual relations and interpersonal ties. He hoped that the Chinese will accept an invitation to Poland.

“Bilateral exchanges and cooperation have expanded and deepened across the board, and benefited people from both countries,” Xi told Duda.

Xi said Beijing will work with Warsaw to “uphold the five principles of peaceful coexistence, honor the commitments made upon the establishment of diplomatic ties, and take the relationship to greater heights.”

Duda said he believes that “our activities under the EU Presidency will be able to contribute to building our mutual relations” with China.

Earlier, the Polish head of state met with Zhao Leji, the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.