The series builds on the Czech Days pattern from previous years: Czech Days in Shanghai 2015 and Czech Days in Bohai Region 2016.  These were series of activities which aimed at promoting the Czech Republic in selected priority areas of cooperation in Czech-China relations and which took place in selected Chinese regions.

This year, the following priority areas were selected: general aviation, e-commerce, clean energy and sport. An important part of it will be also the promotion of traditional Czech products, culture and tourism. List of activities planned in these areas can be viewed in the article attachment.

In addition to Beijing, this year’s activities will target Sichuan, Shaanxi and Zhejiang provinces; these are provinces which have their place at the New Silk Road.

Activities in Beijing, Shaanxi and Zhejiang will be organized and sponsored by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Beijing together with the Czech China Chamber of Collaboration, in cooperation with relevant ministries, agencies and regions of the Czech Republic as well as provinces of the People’s Republic of China. Activities in the Sichuan Province will be organized by the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Chengdu in cooperation with local partners, the New Silk Road Institute Prague and the Sino-Czech Aviation Association. The main partners of the Czech Year on Belt and Road are the following companies: Škoda Auto, Home Credit and CEFC China Energy Company Limited.

Czech Days are linked to high-level visits from the Czech Republic and are presented to key political partners of the Czech Republic in China, business associations and institutions, as well as to key Chinese companies with perspective of further cooperation.

The Czech Days concept as such originated in 2015, when the first “Czech Days” were held in Shanghai during April 22-25, 2015 (detailed information about the event can be found here). They comprised of several activities all of which supported the image of the Czech Republic as a country attractive for its tourism, known for its advanced technologies as well as offering great investment opportunities and outstanding creations of contemporary Czech art and modern design. The formed concept was subsequently used in the following “Czech Days” years.

In 2016, the Czech Days series titled “Czech Days in Bohai Region” was held in the Bohai region which comprises of Beijing and Tianjin cities and the Hebei Province. Drawing on the well-established tradition, it included activities which all supported the image of the Czech Republic and took place during May and June 2016 (for more information read here). While in 2015 it was only a week-long event, it was already a two-month event in 2016.

Czech Days 2017 titled “Czech Year on Belt and Road” represent a series of activities undertaken throughout the whole year of 2017. Their topic – the new Silk Road - was chosen not only to support the activities of Czech companies, which have their activities on the new Silk Road, but also to introduce the Czech Republic as a strategic partner for the formation of the new Silk Road, a partner that has a lot to offer. The implementation of three direct flights between Prague and China during the past year and a half is an evidence of that.

Additionally, the theme aptly fits the initiative announced by the Chinese President XI Jinping, which the Czech Republic also develops with China through the Bilateral Cooperation Plan. An essential part of it will therefore be also the Czech participation at the "Belt and Road" Forum for International Cooperation held in May 2017 in Beijing.