Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic Meets with Wang Yi
On October 17, 2026, local time, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic met in Zagreb with Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Andrej Plenkovic asked Wang Yi to convey his sincere greetings to the Chinese leadership, saying that he looks forward to visiting China at an early date and meeting with the leadership. Andrej Plenkovic stated that relations between Croatia and China have continued to improve, underpinned by mutual respect and sincere cooperation. Chinese enterprises have participated in infrastructure projects in Croatia, including roads, bridges and tunnels. The Peljesac Bridge has played a significant role in improving connectivity between different parts of the country. The Croatian side highly appreciates these contributions and welcomes continued participation of Chinese enterprises in the country’s development. Croatia is willing to further expand cooperation with China in such areas as tourism, photovoltaics and wind power. Croatia welcomes the launch of direct flights between Croatia and China, looking forward to closer exchanges between their peoples.
Andrej Plenkovic stated that Croatia attaches great importance to cooperation with China under the China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) framework and the Belt and Road Initiative. Croatia is willing to continue contributing to these efforts and looks forward to the early resumption of CEEC-China leaders’ meeting mechanism to create new opportunities for closer high-level exchanges between the two sides.
Wang Yi conveyed the Chinese leadership’s good wishes to Andrej Plenkovic and welcomed him to visit China at a mutually convenient time. Wang Yi stated that China was among the first major countries to establish diplomatic relations with Croatia. The bilateral relations have enjoyed healthy, steady and sustainable development under the strategic guidance of the two countries’ leaders. China and Croatia treat each other with sincerity and mutual respect and have established a mature, long-term comprehensive cooperative partnership, which has been the right choice made by both sides. China is willing to further elevate bilateral relations on this foundation.
Wang Yi stated that the purpose of his visit was to convey several messages to the Croatian side: First, China cherishes its traditional friendship with Croatia and is willing to translate it into a strong driving force for bilateral relations in the new era. Second, China respects the choices of the Croatian people and Croatia’s governance model, and is willing to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation to support each other’s development and revitalization. Third, China values people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Croatia and has introduced measures, including unilateral visa-free access and direct flights, to facilitate travel and enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples. Fourth, China firmly believes that China and the European Union (EU) are partners, not rivals. China supports European integration and Croatia’s efforts to achieve faster development through this process, and hopes Croatia will play a constructive role in deepening China-EU cooperation.
Wang Yi stated that China and CEEC share a practical need to strengthen exchanges and cooperation. Such cooperation is entirely open and transparent and contributes to European integration. China is willing to strengthen cooperation with interested countries in the region through established mechanisms. China appreciates Croatia’s positive attitude in this regard and is ready to use the 15th anniversary of the China-CEEC cooperation mechanism next year as an opportunity to reinvigorate mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides.
The two sides also exchanged views on China-EU economic and trade relations. Andrej Plenkovic said that EU countries, including Croatia, have concerns about trade imbalances. Participants at the recent EU summit spoke positively of the consensus reached through the China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism and expressed hope that the two sides would continue to strengthen communication and dialogue to properly address their differences.
Wang Yi stated that trade issues between China and the EU stem from the international division of labor and market demand. Imports of high-quality, competitively priced Chinese goods benefit European consumers and help curb inflation, reflecting demand in the European market, and there is no so-called “overcapacity”. China is willing to import more high-value-added products from Europe and hopes the EU will ease restrictions on exports to China. China is committed to promoting balanced growth in bilateral trade, with both sides moving forward rather than backward and expanding shared benefits rather than diminishing them. China is ready to strengthen dialogue with the EU on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, jointly uphold free trade and advance open and inclusive economic globalization.
Andrej Plenkovic briefed Wang Yi on the situation in the Western Balkans. Wang Yi said that China does not interfere in the internal affairs of countries in the region and hopes that all countries will enhance understanding, rebuild mutual trust and coexist in harmony through dialogue. China is willing to play a constructive role in line with the needs of countries in the region.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
