"Croatia-China relations have been steadily developing since 1992, ie establishing diplomatic relations, always based on mutual trust and respect. With Prime Minister Li Keqiang's visit to Croatia in April this year, our friendship and high level of mutual trust have been further confirmed and strengthened. he has given new impetus to strengthening our political dialogue and, he said, they are historically at the highest level and entering the diamond era, Jandroković said in a welcoming speech on the taking over of the new Chinese ambassador Xu Erwen and the exhibition on reform and opening of China in the last 40 year.

Ambassador Xu Erwen stressed the importance of trilateral cooperation between China, Croatia and European countries.

Ambassador Xu, China's ninth diplomatic representative to Croatia, also noted that the two countries have made great progress in bilateral relations in recent years, thanks primarily to visits by top government officials.

"These events have really taken our relations to a new, higher level. We have excellent bilateral relations," Xu said, recalling that economic cooperation is growing rapidly.

"Trade increased 16.2 percent last year," the ambassador said, adding that the Croatian government's decision to entrust the construction of the Peljesac Bridge to a Chinese company represents a "historic shift in Croatia-China relations."

She also stressed the importance of trilateral cooperation between China, Croatia and European countries. She sees further development of the relationship in the fields of infrastructure, digital economy, healthcare, e-commerce, clean energy and education.