A very stimulating evening of Chinese culture to celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations between China and Croatia last night, as well as 73 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. There is the full press release below, but there were also many details in the evening to reflect on.
The Peljesac Bridge of course loomed large in proceedings, including one lesser known story, of a love found, initially in China where both the Croatian lady and husband from Togo, were studying, before moving to Croatia to work on the constuction of the bridge.
A wonderful – and very diverse – show of Chinese music and culture.
Including traditional dance with the fan.
An inspiring peformance of the violin with dance.
And if you have never heard the Dalmatian classic, Ti Si Moj San (You are My Dream) sung in Croatian, now is you chance.
The official pess release about the event is below and in full.
A reception was held on the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Croatia.
Zagreb, September 30, 2022. – On September 29, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Croatia held a reception on the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Croatia. Present were the Vice-President of the Croatian Parliament Željko Reiner, former President Ivo Josipović, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps, people from various circles, representatives of Chinese companies and representatives of the Chinese in Croatia.
Ambassador Qi said: “This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Croatia. In the past 30 years, relations between the two countries have always maintained comprehensive development at a high level, and political mutual trust is continuously strengthened. The leaders of the two countries held close exchanges and led the development of Chinese-Croatian relations. The two sides understand and support each other on matters of vital interest and great concern. In the past 30 years, economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has been continuously expanding. Recently, a solemn ceremony was held to put the Pelješki bridge into traffic. This bridge is not only a flagship project of trilateral cooperation between China, Croatia and the EU, but also a model of cooperation between China and Croatia and a symbol of friendship between the two nations. Chinese companies are deeply involved in the Croatian market, committed to promoting the economic development of Croatia, providing better quality products and services, creating a large number of employment opportunities for Croatia, and they are really for the benefit of the citizens of Croatia.”
Ambassador Qi said, “Currently, unprecedented major world changes in a century are accelerating, and the world has entered a new period of turbulent change. In order to respond to global challenges, Chinese President Xi Jinping recently explained the concepts and attitude of Chinese diplomacy on various occasions, outlined the global security initiative and the global development initiative, advocated supporting the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, promoted the construction of a balanced, effective and sustainable security structures, stressed that China is willing to cooperate with all parties to protect the international system with the United Nations at its core, maintain peace, stability and international fairness and justice. He called for building a stronger, greener and healthier global development, adhering to free trade and fair trade, strengthening the coordination of macro policies of different countries, ensuring energy security and food security, maintaining the safety and smoothness of the industrial and supply chain, maintaining and promoting economic globalization and deepening multilateral and bilateral international economic cooperation.”
Ambassador Qi said: “In the emerging situation, China and the EU should, as important political forces and major economies on the world stage, strengthen communication and coordination on China-EU relations and major issues related to global peace and development, and play a constructive and stable role . In a speech at the opening ceremony of the Pelješac Bridge, Premier Li Keqiang said that China and the EU are comprehensive strategic partners and cooperate and learn from each other on the basis of mutual respect and equality in accordance with the fundamental and long-term interests of China and the EU.
Vice-President of the Croatian Parliament Željko Reiner gave a speech at the reception, expressed warm congratulations on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Croatia and the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, praised China’s achievements in economic and social development and the results of mutually beneficial cooperation on various areas between China and Croatia and expressed the belief that the two sides will continue to cooperate on deepening the partnership, expanding the area of cooperation and promoting the continuous achievement of new achievements in bilateral relations.
At the reception, a photo exhibition about the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Chinese-Croatian diplomatic relations and the important cooperation between the two countries was set up, which vividly presented the results of cooperation over the past 30 years, told touching stories about the friendly exchange between the Chinese and Croatian people, and presented the contributions Chinese investment cooperation to the development of the Croatian economy and people’s livelihood. In addition, at the reception, the teachers and students of the Confucius Institute, as well as the Chinese music band, performed a series of great points such as martial arts, the presentation of Chinese traditional Han clothing and the performance of famous Chinese songs, and a calligraphy booth was set up that allowed guests to experience the depth Chinese culture.
