Czech Republic's President Milos Zeman, right, welcomes his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, left, at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, March 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The Associated Press
PRAGUE (AP) - Chinese President Xi Jinping has signed an agreement on a strategic partnership during his visit to the Czech Republic, a sign of improving relations with a country that once was a critic of China's human rights record.
Xi, who was greeted with rare 21 artillery salvos at the Prague Castle, the seat of the presidency, signed the document Tuesday together with his host, President Milos Zeman.
Xi's visit - his only stopover in Europe before flying to the U.S. - is a result of a more business-oriented Czech approach to China than the one that prevailed under the late President Vaclav Havel, a prominent proponent of human rights.
Zeman said business deals to be signed during Xi's visit could bring almost $4 billion of Chinese investment this year.
A soldier of the guard of honor struggles with the red carpet as the wind blows it away prior to the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, March 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The Associated Press
Czech Republic's President Milos Zeman, right, and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, left, shake hands after signing a bilateral treaty of strategic partnership at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, March 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The Associated Press
Czech Republic's President Milos Zeman, right, and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, left, wait before signing a bilateral treaty of strategic partnership at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, March 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The Associated Press
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives at the Prague Castle for a welcoming ceremony in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, March 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The Associated Press
Czech Republic's President Milos Zeman, right, welcomes his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, left, at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, March 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
The Associated Press