On 15th July, Launching Ceremony of the First Tourist Season China-Croatia Joint Police Patrol was successfully held at the main square of Old Town of famous tourist city on the Adriatic coast, Dubrovnik. This event was organized through the joint efforts of Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China, Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Croatia, and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Croatia, aiming at providing the assistance and escort for the peaceful trip of Chinese tourists in Croatia.
Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Croatia, H.E. Mr Hu Zhaoming, Deputy Director of Department for International Cooperation of Chinese Ministry of Public Security Mr. Tian Lixiao, State Secretary from Croatian Ministry of Tourism, Deputy Chief of Croatian Police, Dubrovnik-Neretva County Mayor, Dubrovnik City Mayor and others attended the launching ceremony.
Before the ceremony started, artists from Croatian folk art troupe ‟Linđo" performed traditional folk dance, while Chinese art troupe presented a wonderful Chinese martial arts and lion dance performance.
During the launching ceremony, esteemed guests from Chinese and Croatian sides agreed in their speeches that the smooth launching of the first China-Croatia Joint Police patrols would have a prominent role in optimizing the experience of Chinese tourists in Croatia and promoting cooperation of Chinese and Croatian police in their job of enforcing the law, as well as big significance for deepening bilateral comprehensive and multi-field cooperation.
Dubrovnik Mayor Mr. Mato Franković holds a speech
Deputy Chief of Croatian Police Mr. Željko Prša holds a speech
Deputy Director of Department for International Cooperation of Chinese Ministry of Public Security Mr. Tian Lixiao holds a speech
State Secretary of Croatian Ministry of Tourism Mr. Frano Matušić holds a speech
Dubrovnik-Neretva County Mayor Mr. Nikola Dobroslavić holds a speech
Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia Hu Zhaoming stated in his speech that this was a good timing for China-Croatia Joint Police Patrol. One of the reasons why this was a good timing is that this period was one of the best times for China-Croatia relations. Last year was the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Croatia diplomatic relations; this year, Chinese company won a tender for the project of construction of Peljesac bridge. One week earlier, Chinese side had clearly supported Croatia to host the next ‟16+1"summit, which signaled that the mutual trust of two countries reached a new height. This joint police patrol is also an important expression of mutual political trust of two countries. The second is that this joint patrol was launched in the context of the energetic boost from the ‟One Belt, One Road" initiative. Chinese side was not only hoping to enjoy the fruits of development brought by ‟One Belt, One Road" together with Croatia, but also hoped to advance the safety along the ‟One Belt, One Road" together with Croatia. This joint patrol was also the concrete expression of two countries strengthening cooperation in law enforcement. The third reason was that China-Croatia cooperation had entered the period of fast development. Last year, the number of tourists from China to Croatia had increased nearly 60%; this year would maintain the same speed. Especially after entering the World Cup finals, Croatia's popularity in China had much increased. It was not only the new achievement in the history of Chinese football, but would also greatly increase the number of Chinese tourists in Croatia. This joint patrol would have a positive role in promoting Croatia to Chinese masses of people. Ambassador Hu Zhaoming's wonderful speech won the big applause.
Ambassador of Mr. Hu Zhaoming holds a speech
After that, Deputy Chief of Croatian Police Mr. Željko Prša presented Chinese policemen who participated in the joint patrol with characteristic local souvenirs, while Deputy Director of Department for International Cooperation of Chinese Ministry of Public Security Mr. Tian Lixiao presented the Chief of Dubrovnik police with Chinese police badge.
In the last part of the launching ceremony, audience was cheering together with the participants, Chinese and Croatian participants and guests touched the crystal ball together, which symbolized the successful launching of the joint police patrol. Fluttering ribbons and impassionate music together pushed the event to the climax.
After the launching ceremony ended, police from two countries immediately started patrolling the Old Town of Dubrovnik, which attracted many tourists to halt and praise them. Chinese tourists who were interviewed said that seeing Chinese police in Croatia, far from their home country, left them feeling very excited and very safe.
The 6 Chinese policemen who participated in this year's joint police patrol in Croatia came from Department for International Cooperation of Chinese Ministry of Public Security and Public Security Department under Guangdong Provincial Government. They all have rich grass-root work experience and experience in enforcing the law. They would conduct one month of joint police patrols in Croatian capital Zagreb, National park Plitvice and important southern tourist town Dubrovnik.
