Ambassador Qi introduced the major achievements in the development of bilateral relations over the past 30 years, saying that in recent years, the mutual political trust, as well as respect and equal treatment between the two countries, have been continuously enhanced, while the mutually beneficial cooperation is deepening. Bilateral trade volume has increased nearly 60 times in the last 30 years; flagship projects such as Pelješac Bridge and Senj Wind Power have been completed, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges are in the ascendant. In 2019, China and Croatia successfully held cultural and tourism-themed year activities; the same year, the number of Chinese tourists to Croatia exceeded 300,000. Confucius Institute at the University of Zagreb is loved by the people, and learning Chinese has become a new trend for young people.
Ambassador Qi said that the 30 years of experience in the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Croatia has shown that, even if the distance between China and Croatia is thousands of miles, as long as we persist in mutual respect and equality, build more bridges of mutual trust, cooperation, and friendship between the two countries, we can cross the mountains and bridge the distance between mountains and seas, and step on the road of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. Not long ago, President Xi Jinping and President Zoran Milanović exchanged congratulatory messages. The two heads of state agreed to take the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to further deepen political mutual trust, expand pragmatic cooperation, jointly build the "Belt and Road", and lead China-Croatia relations to achieve greater development. This provides a guidance strategy for the development of relations between the two countries and points out the way forward.
Ambassador Qi pointed out that China-Croatia relations are standing at a new starting point linking the previous and the next. The Chinese side is willing to join hands with the Croatian side to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, firmly grasp the right direction of the development of bilateral relations, enhance the level of strategic mutual trust, focus on digging out the potential of cooperation, continue to consolidate the traditional friendship, and promote China-Croatia comprehensive cooperative partnership for stable and long-term development.
Ambassador Qi also answered the reporter's questions on China-EU relations, China-CEECs cooperation, China-Russia relations, the Ukraine issue, and China's "dynamic clearing" epidemic prevention policy.
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