Beijing, July 21st—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met here today with Gordan Grlic Radman, Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs. 

Liu said, the people of China and Croatia have a traditional friendship. Under the promotion of the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the cooperation platforms between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC), exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two sides have become increasingly close. China is willing to work with Croatia to consolidate the good development momentum of bilateral relations, strengthen the alignment of development strategies, actively promote mutually beneficial cooperation in infrastructure, trade, investment, culture, tourism and other fields, promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges and people-to-people bonds, and advance the comprehensive cooperative partnership between the two countries. Against the backdrop of profound changes in the world landscape, the CPC is willing to further enhance exchanges with the Croatian Democratic Union, strengthen political dialogue and strategic communication, deepen ideological exchanges and mutual learning of experience in party building and state governance, and consolidate the political and social foundation of friendship between the two countries. 

Liu said, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU). Both sides have extensive common interests and are committed to realizing the people's aspiration for a better life. The two sides are partners rather than rivals. China's foreign policy is open and transparent, and its policy towards the EU has always been consistent and predictable. China looks forward to working with the EU to jointly maintain the international system with the United Nations at its core, the post-war international order and the multilateral trading system, provide stability and certainty to the world, and move hand in hand towards the next 50 years of win-win cooperation. China hopes that Croatia, as an important country in the region, will continue to play a positive role in promoting China-CEEC cooperation and advancing the development of China-EU relations.  

Radman said, Croatia and China have a traditional friendship. China was among the first countries to recognize Croatia's independence. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two governments and parliaments have maintained regular exchanges, and mutually beneficial cooperation has been highly visible. Croatia appreciates China's long-term support in politics as well as in economic and social development. The completion of the Pelješac Bridge has played an important role in improving Croatia's transportation. Croatia attaches great importance to its relations with China and adheres to the one-China policy. It looks forward to deepening exchanges in various fields including exchanges between the ruling parties, and exploring cooperation potential in infrastructure, agriculture, culture, tourism, and scientific and technological innovation, so that Croatia-China relations will always be a model of mutual respect and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes. Croatia is an EU member state and an important country in the northwest of the Balkan Peninsula ,and its development is inseparable from the security and stability of the surrounding region. Croatia fully appreciates the value of a peaceful and stable international environment and highly praises the constructive role China plays in international and regional affairs. Croatia is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China on regional hot issues to jointly address risks and challenges and promote regional stability and world peace. Croatia looks forward to the success of the upcoming China-EU Summit and stands ready to play an active role in promoting exchanges and cooperation between the EU and China. 

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern. 

Sun Haiyan, Vice-minister of the IDCPC, and Dario Mihelin, Croatian Ambassador to China, were present.