On March 6th, "Morning Post", one of the mainstream media in Croatia published a report regarding the public opinion poll on China-Croatia relations that was conducted by the famous Croatian opinion pollster GfK on its two full pages. At the same time, the article written by H.E. Mr. Hu Zhaoming, the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Croatia, about the opinion poll, was also published in the same newspaper. The opinion poll shows that 86% of Croatians welcome Chinese investments and 60% of Croatians see China as one of the most important cooperation partners in the future. The report of opinion poll is as follows:
- Croatians hold positive attitude towards Chinese. 89% of Croatians see China as a friendly country; 69% of Croatians are impressed by the fast development of Chinese economy; 68% of Croatians think that China is playing a greater international role and 90% of them think that Chinese influence will further increase.
- Croatians welcome and support the strengthening of the cooperation with China. 85% of Croatians support more Chinese investment to Croatia, especially in the fields of infrastructure and tourism. 61% of Croatians think that China will be the second most important cooperation partner in the next 10 years, which is only after Germany.
- Croatians hope to know more about China. 89% of Croatians want to travel to China and 49% of them are willing to learn Chinese language.
Opinion poll also shows some weak points in the relations between the two countries. Only 3% of Croatians have visited China while more than half of Croatian regard traditional Chinese medicine, tea and Chinese delicacy as the symbols of China and know little about new scenery spots, new technology and new lifestyle of modern China.
With a view to extending the good atmosphere of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Croatia and to further promoting friendly bilateral cooperation, Chinese Embassy in Croatia commissioned opinion pollster agency GFK to conduct this poll. On the same day, H.E. Ambassador Hu Zhaoming gave an exclusive interview regarding this opinion poll to Croatian National Television.