On the eve of the fourth "16+1 "Cooperation Summit, Ambassador Deng Ying gave an written interview on "European Times", talking about China-Croatia relations, "16+1 " Cooperation and "the Belt and Road " Initiative. The full text of the interview is as follows:
1.How to evaluate "16+1" Cooperation?
Central and Eastern Europe is the most dynamic area in Europe with great potential for development. "16+1" cooperation is rooted in the profound traditional friendship and sound political mutual trusts between China and CEE Countries, and always upholds the principles of co-constructing, mutual benefit, openness and transparency. With the main contents of transnational interconnection, capacity cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges, "16+1" cooperation fulfills the coordination of developing strategies of all 17 countries, in compliance with common wishes of peoples for peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit. "16+1" cooperation is a model of equal treatment, tolerance and mutual learning, and win-win cooperation between countries of different systems and national conditions; a new engine for strengthening the partnerships for peace, growth, reform and civilization between China and Europe; an important platform for promoting the construction of "the Belt and Road Initiative" and international capacity cooperation in Europe. "16+1" cooperation shows "China never forgets old friends" and the new concept of major power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics of establishing New Type of International Relations with Win-Win Cooperation as Core.
Three years after the establishment of "16+1"cooperation, with joint efforts of all sides, cooperation mechanism is further improved, cooperation in various sectors is vigorously developing, resulting in fruitful achievements, which promotes enthusiasm of all participants. Showing great vitality, "16+1" cooperation is entering a new stage. The new "16+1" Leaders' Meeting to be held in China, reflects the great importance that Chinese side attaches to developing relations with CEE countries, and provides important opportunities for planning the future development of "16+1" cooperation.
2.what are the new characteristics and the new results of the cooperation between two countries in the areas of economy, investments, culture , education and other in recent years ?
This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of China-Croatia Partnership in all-round Cooperation. Speaking of the new development of the relations between the two countries, it can be summarized as follows:
Firstly, deep mutual trust. In the last ten years, China and Croatia have always insisted on mutual respect, equal treatment, and mutual trust. Both governments and peoples have firmly supported each other's choices of the development paths based on national circumstances, maintained good communication and coordination on international and major regional issues. China-Croatia friendship rooted deep inside people's hearts. Both sides treat each other as reliable friends and good partners.
Secondly, wide cooperation field. Over last ten years, China and Croatia have always insisted on win-win cooperation, mutual exchanges and learning. Pragmatic cooperation in all fields, especially in economy, tourism, sciences, technology, culture and education is expanding continuously. Bilateral trade volume has increased over 80% during 10 years' period. In 2014, over 50 000 Chinese tourists have visited Croatia, maintaining a momentum of fairly repaid growth. Both countries have also established the first international ecological research center. Also, the "Happy Chinese New Year" has already become an important brand in bilateral cultural exchanges. Confucius Institute at the University of Zagreb has been developing rapidly, serving as a new platform for Croatian people to learn Chinese language and to understand Chinese culture.
Thirdly, multiple-levels cooperation. In these ten years, there have been continuous exploration and courageous innovations of bilateral relations, from one-dimension to multi-dimensions, including mutual enhancement of cooperation within China-Croatia bilateral, "16+1" cooperation and China-EU relations format. Also, with the construction of "The Belt and Road initiative", potential for China-Croatia cooperation is expected to be fully tapped.
Fourthly, fruitful cooperation results. In 2015, development of bilateral relations witnessed various highlights. H.E.Ms. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, President of Croatia has carried out a successful state visit to China, during which leaders of our two countries connected guiding principles of "Chinese Dream" with "For Better Croatia" and national strategies for development of both sides, reaching an important consensus on further deepening and promoting the future development of bilateral relations. The Chinese side also welcomes the participation of H.E.Mr. Zoran Milanovic, Primer of Croatia at the 4th Meeting of Heads of Government of "16+1" Countries to be held in late November in China, jointly planing the development of China-Croatia relations. Also, in the middle of November, A CPC delegation led by Mr. Du Qinglin, Member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, paid a successful visit to Croatia, which further deepened the development of bilateral relations and enhanced communication between political parties of two countries.
Meanwhile, 10th meeting of Chinese-Croatian joint economic committee, 7th regular meeting of Science and technology cooperation committee were successfully held, while "Croatian Day" was also successfully held in the city of Ningbo. Both Ministries of Agriculture signed the " Action Plan 2015-2016 for Agricultural Cooperation". Also, Chinese acrobatic troupe successfully held performances during "Happy Chinese New Year" in three Croatian cities, Shanghai Little Star Art Troupe visited and performed in Zagreb and Opatija. Furthermore, Chinese naval escort fleet paid a notable visit to Croatia, with the special attendance of President of Croatia H.E. Ms. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, at the deck reception and delivering remarks. In addition to all these, there has been a constant communication between the judiciary, health, think-tank, media, local authorities and peoples, which made the celebration activities of the "10th Anniversary" especially rich and fruitful.
3.What is the attitude, expectation and advantages of Croatia to "the Belt and Road Initiative" ?
Croatia is situated in the Central and South part of Europe. Facing the Adriatic sea on the west, with Rijeka, Zadar and Pula and other harbors being evenly scattered alongside the coastline, making its outstanding geopolitical advantages. As a new member of EU, Croatia is backed by the big EU market with 500 million population, with rich touristic resources, sound legal framework, highly developed infrastructure and stable social order. It also has a sizable high-quality labor force, with lower costs in comparison with western and northern Europe countries.
Following "the Belt and Road Initiative", Croatian side is pressing for even stronger cooperation with China, and looking forward to attracting more investments from Chinese enterprises. During the state visit to China, H.E. Ms. Kolinda Grabar- Kitarović, President of Croatia, suggest to connect the "Adriatic-Baltic-Black Sea" initiative and "the Belt and Road Initiative", so as to make full use of the favorable position of Croatian ports, jointly conduct cooperation in the field of transportation, energy, creativity, logistics and production zones.
With the recovery of Croatia's economy and the full development of "the Belt and Road Initiative", more and more Chinese enterprises will show strong interests for cooperation with Croatia.
4.What are the key areas of cooperation between China and Croatia in the future?
Croatia is an important participant of "16+1"cooperation, in which it has always been performing a constructive role. At the moment, both sides are actively engaged in conducting cooperation in all areas within the framework of "16+1" cooperation, which is bringing China-Croatia relations to a new stage.
In the upcoming period, two sides should diligently implement the important consensus of the leaders, and on the basis of constantly strengthening our traditional friendship and good mutual political trust, make full use of the platform of the "16+1" cooperation and with the impetus of the development of "the Belt and Road Initiative" and China-EU relations, expand pragmatic cooperation in all sectors, such as energy, transportation, infrastructure, industry zones, agriculture, tourism,and so on. Meanwhile, we should also try to exploit the potential of local cooperation, deepen the cultural and people-to-people exchanges, so that China-Croatia partnership in overall cooperation will achieve even bigger development in the next decade.
5: What is your comment on China-Croatia relations? What is your impression of Croatia and its people?
Since being appointed ambassador of China to Croatia, I am deeply impressed by its beautiful natural scenery, its kind and hard-working people, the pragmatic and rigorous working-style, especially the profound traditional friendship between our two countries.
The friendship between our two countries can be traced back to the times of Marco Polo in 13th century. With time passing, two peoples have shared joys and sorrows, with their friendship emerging even stronger. In the 23 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, both sides have always supported and respected each other, treated each other as equals, carried out a win-win cooperation. Our relationship is viewed as the model between big and small countries.Under the meticulous nurturing of our leaders of the old generation, a group of young "Marco Polos" from various sectors are actively contributing to the development of our relations.
As the Ambassador to Croatia, I and my colleagues are pleased with the good momentum of development of our bilateral relations. In the meantime, we will bear our mission and responsibility in mind, try to actively consolidate a high level traditional bilateral friendship, deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields and promote China-Croatia partnership in overall cooperation to a new high.