Honorable Minister Ćorić 

Honorable Mayer Filipović

Distinguished General Manager Durokovic, Director Marokini

Distinguished Board Director Lv Zexiang, Board Director Cai Shenghua, Genreal Manager Zhao Weilin

Ladies and gentlemen:

Good morning!

It is my great pleasure to be invited to participate in the ceremony. First of all, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Croatia, I would like to congratulate China Energy Construction Group Jiangsu Power Design Institute, as a well-known Chinese industry design and EPC company, successfully winning the bid for Rijeka Wastewater Treatment Plant Construction Project with its partner SUMEC. We appreciate the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Croatia for attaching great importance to this project and Rijeka Water and Wastewater Company for choosing Chinese company to build this important project.

I am very glad to learn that Rijeka is the largest seaport and the third largest city in Croatia, as well as an important transportation hub for Croatia and Europe. The construction of the wastewater treatment plant project will greatly improve the infrastructure of Rijeka agglomeration, and plays an important role in reducing pollution, protecting water resources and the ecological environment, and improving the living standards of local residents. The project is in line with Croatia’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions and achieve green transition. Of course, we hope Chinese companies also could get economic benefits from it.

I hope Jiangsu Power Design Institute will earnestly fulfill the first responsibility for the general contracting of the project, attach great importance to the whole process of the project together with its partners, earnestly perform the contract in accordance with Croatian and EU laws and regulations, and make full use of the advantages of the company and the joint venture, and strive to build an excellent engineering project that is satisfactory by all stakeholders. It is also necessary to comply with Croatian and EU regulations on contracting project, and strictly implement epidemic prevention and other safety measures, environmental protection and quality requirements, protection of labor rights, maintain close communication and cooperation with the owner and Rijeka city government and other parties, abide by local public order and good customs, and fullfill social responsibilities, to raise good reputation of the company, establish a good image of Chinese companies.

I would like to thank Mr. Mayor Filipović for inviting me to participate in this important event. The Rijeka city government has always attached great importance to the development of friendly cooperation with China, and has established close friendly and cooperative relations with Ningbo, Dalian and other famous seaport cities of China. The China-Croatia Friendship Association has also carried out many friendly activities here. China-Croatia cooperation has achieved remarkable results in recent years, which has received great attention and support from state leaders and all communities from both countries. On December 7, Prime Minister Plenković and I attended the Ceremony of Grid Connection of Senj Wind Power Project which was invested and constructed by Chinese company Norinco. The Peljesac Bridge project undertaken by China Road and Bridge Corporation will be completed by the end of next month, which makes Croatian people’s long-cherished dream of connecting northern and southern territories come true.

What I would like to point out here is that Chinese companies’ investment and contracting projects, as well as the trade between China and Croatia, are all enterprise-oriented economic activities based on free market rules with mutually beneficial results. There is no geopolitical conflict between China and European countries, and the Chinese government has no intention of expanding so-called “sphere of influence” in Croatia or Central or Eastern Europe through economic and trade cooperation, and has no intention of creating any “debt burden” on any country. China’s economic cooperation with Croatia has proved what I said is obvious. Based on the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, China is willing to work with every country or organization on the “Belt and Road” initiative, infrastructure construction and new areas of cooperation, especially in areas such as green and digital transition, and technological innovation etc.

Over the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Croatia, our two countries have maintained good relations and friendly cooperation even during the pandemic. Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Plenković attended the Ceremony of Grid Connection of Senj Wind Power Project with highly appreciation of China-Croatia relations and China-CEEC cooperation. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. The Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China summarized the important achievements and historical experience of a century, pointed out that the Communist Party of China will lead Chinese people towards the goal of building a modern socialist country with Chinese characteristics and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, while at the same time making continuous new contributions to world peace, stability, development and prosperity. We will continue to increase the level of openness. China will be the world’s most potential, vigorous market with broad business opportunities. China sincerely hopes that all countries in the world, including Croatia, will benefit from China’s new development.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

China is willing to strengthen friendly cooperation with Croatia, increase investment and cooperation projects in Croatia, and promote cooperation between our two countries. We also hope that Croatia will attract more Chinese companies with the business environment of equality, fairness and non-discrimination.

Finally, congratulations again on the successful signing of the project and wish the project progress smoothly. The Chinese Embassy in Croatia will continue to follow the progress of the project and provide all necessary assistance. I wish the friendship between the Chinese and Croatian people will continue to be enhanced and the China-Croatia comprehensive cooperative partnership will continue to be consolidated and upgraded.

I wish you all a happy and prosperous new year!

Thank you.