China-Slovakia cooperation yields fruitful results amid deepened political mutual trust: Xi

China-Slovakia cooperation has yielded fruitful results as the political mutual trust between the two countries has continued to deepen, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday during talks with his Slovak counterpart Peter Pellegrini at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi highlighted the significance of Pellegrini's visit and the rapid development of China-Slovakia relations.

"Mr. President, I welcome your state visit to China. This is your first visit to China as president, and it is also the first state visit to China by a Slovak president in 23 years. Your visit is of great significance. Slovakia was among the first countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. In November 2024, Prime Minister (Robert) Fico and I jointly announced the elevation of China-Slovakia relations to a strategic partnership, steering the bilateral ties onto a fast track of development. With the joint efforts of both sides, our political mutual trust has continued to deepen, cooperation has yielded fruitful results, and the traditional friendship remains deeply rooted in the hearts of our peoples," Xi said.

For his part, Pellegrini said he was "deeply honored" to pay a state visit to China as the president of the Slovak Republic, and stressed that his country "firmly upholds the one-China principle."

"I believe that this visit will inject new momentum and open up new areas for Slovakia-China cooperation," said Pellegrini.

China-Slovakia cooperation yields fruitful results amid deepened political mutual trust: Xi

China-Slovakia cooperation yields fruitful results amid deepened political mutual trust: Xi

China-Slovakia cooperation yields fruitful results amid deepened political mutual trust: Xi

China-Slovakia cooperation yields fruitful results amid deepened political mutual trust: Xi

Thai exporters are leveraging this year's China International Import Expo (CIIE) to seek new opportunities in China as innovation and shifting consumer demand reshape how Thailand's traditional agricultural products are grown, produced and brought to market.

For generations, families in Thailand have made a living from coconut palms, harvesting the fruit by hand and shipping it far beyond the orchards where it is grown.

Natthasak Manusrungsri's family has been exporting aromatic coconuts for more than two decades. But growing demand from China has transformed the scale of their business, driving production, expanding exports and inspiring new ways to bring this familiar fruit to consumers.

"Almost every factory that packs fresh coconuts depends on China as its main market, almost entirely. After Thailand received permission to export coconuts to China, volumes kept rising, driven by trends and by customers becoming more knowledgeable and health-conscious," said Natthasak Manusrungsri, managing director of K-Fresh Co.

But as demand grows, so does the pressure to innovate. Generations of agricultural knowledge are meeting a new generation of ideas.

For Thai producers, China offers enormous opportunities, but competition is intensifying. As consumer preferences change, exporters are shifting their focus beyond simply increasing sales to developing innovative products that offer greater convenience and bring more value to an increasingly competitive industry.

That transformation begins long before the coconuts leave the trees. Across a network of plantations, precision agriculture is helping farmers monitor growing conditions, identify problem areas, and improve yields, while maintaining the quality of Thailand's renowned coconuts.

Inside the factory, innovation takes a different form. Even the simple act of opening a coconut has been redesigned. A patented mechanism allows consumers to open it with a push.

"Innovation matters for both the farm and production, so we can deliver the highest quality to our customers. So, we practice precision agriculture. And in the factory, we focus on innovation to make it easier for consumers to open and enjoy, bringing quality products to consumers around the world and in China," said Manusrungsri.

For the farmers who tend these palms, the rhythm of life remains much as it has for generations. But beyond the orchards, almost everything else is changing.

And at CIIE 2026, Thailand's humble coconut is showing how an age-old harvest can find new value in a world of changing tastes and possibilities.

Thai coconut exporter taps CIIE to promote industry innovation