China is ready to continue its traditional friendship with Bosnia and Herzegovina, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and elevate bilateral relations to a higher level in order to better serve the interests of the peoples of both countries, said the Chinese Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Li Fan, today.
Ahead of the conference marking 30 years of diplomatic relations between BiH and China, held today in Sarajevo, Li told reporters that the two countries have always walked hand in hand during that period.
She noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chairwoman of the Presidency of BiH, Željka Cvijanović, exchanged congratulations on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties, and reminded that the Chinese president emphasized how both sides have developed bilateral relations based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and shared benefit.
“China and BiH have always respected one another and mutually acknowledged each other’s political systems and development paths,” Li stressed, adding that the two countries have supported each other on matters of vital interest and have shown selfless assistance in difficult times.
According to her, economic and trade cooperation with Central and Eastern European countries within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative has yielded fruitful results.
“In 2024, bilateral trade increased by 15.2% compared to the previous year,” Li highlighted, pointing out that projects such as the Ivovik wind farm, the Počitelj bridge, the construction of a hospital in Doboj, and the urban tram line in Sarajevo have brought tangible benefits to citizens.
Li added that, thanks to the visa-free agreement signed in 2018, the number of Chinese tourists visiting BiH has significantly increased.
“The Confucius Institutes and Sinology programs in BiH provide diverse and enriching content,” Li recalled, noting that the good cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries plays an important role in the development of bilateral relations.
Marinko Čavara, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chair of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Asia, emphasized that the past 30 years have been used to strengthen institutional relations—political, economic, and cultural.
“I thank everyone in China and BiH who have worked diligently and contributed to building such good relations with a great country like China,” Čavara told the media.
He expressed particular gratitude to China for not interfering in the internal affairs of BiH and instead offering only friendship and economic cooperation.
Čavara expressed hope that BiH and China would continue their successful cooperation in all existing areas and begin working together in new segments as well.
Faruk Borić, President of the BiH-China Friendship Association, said this is a great day of friendship for the two countries, noting that the last ten years have seen a major leap in cooperation across all sectors.
“During that period, cooperation has flourished—from infrastructure projects throughout BiH and energy projects, which we expect to increase further, especially in the field of green energy, to the rise in tourism, aided by the visa-free regime between BiH and China,” Borić added.
The conference marking 30 years of diplomatic relations between BiH and China was organized by the BiH-China Friendship Association in cooperation with the Friendship Group for Asia of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH.
The conference gathered high-level officials from both countries, representatives of the legislative and executive branches in BiH, members of the diplomatic corps, business and academic communities, as well as representatives of international and non-governmental organizations.
Source: RTRS
