On September 29, 2022, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Croatia held a reception to celebrate 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. Deputy Speakers of the Croatian Parliament Mr. Željko Reiner, Mr. Furio Radin, Mr. Davorko Vidović, former President Mr. Ivo Josipović, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Zdenko Lucić, as well as diplomatic envoys in Croatia, people from all walks of life, Chinese-funded organizations, overseas Chinese, and more than 200 Chinese and foreign journalists were present.

The reception started with the traditional Chinese art of lion dance. First, a promotional video for the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Croatia was played, summarizing the fruitful results of the practical cooperation between the two countries over the past 30 years, and looking forward to a new chapter of the friendly cooperation between the two countries in the future.

In his speech, H. E. Ambassador Mr. Qi Qianjin said that since the founding of the People's Republic of China 73 years ago, China's experience of major achievements in construction and development laid in adhering to the leadership of the Communist Party of China, always serving the Chinese people, adhering to an independent foreign policy, and strengthening national self-esteem and self-confidence. Practice proved that the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics conformed to China's national conditions, was successful and effective, and possessed strong resilience and vitality.

Ambassador Qi pointed out that China's development was inseparable from the rest of the world, and the world's development needed China. In half a month, the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China would be held in Beijing. This very important conference would formulate major policies for China's development, continue building a modern socialist country in an all-around way, and comprehensively promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. China would not waver in its basic national policy of opening up and was willing to strengthen dialogue and communication with all parties to carry out mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation. China's new development would bring new opportunities to the world, and China was willing to share development achievements with the world and learn from each other's developmental experience.

Ambassador Qi said that this year marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Croatia. Over the past 30 years, bilateral relations maintained an all-round and high-level development, and political mutual trust was continuously consolidated. Despite the differences in population and area between China and Croatia, China had always respected and treated Croatia as a friend and partner. The leaders of the two countries maintained close exchanges and raised the flag for the development of China-Croatia relations. The two sides understood and supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns. Over the past 30 years, the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries had continued to expand. The opening ceremony of the Pelješac Bridge was held not long ago. The bridge was not only the flagship project of China-Croatia-EU tripartite cooperation but also a model of cooperation between China and Croatia and a symbol of friendship between the two peoples. Chinese companies had deeply plowed the Croatian market, were committed to promoting Croatia's economic development, providing Croatia with more high-quality products and services, creating a large number of employment opportunities for Croatia, and truly benefiting the Croatian people.

Ambassador Qi pointed out that under the new situation, China and the EU, as important political forces and major economies on the world stage, should 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 his speech at the opening ceremony of the Peljesac Bridge, H. E. Premier Li Keqiang said that China and the EU were comprehensive strategic partners. It was in the fundamental and long-term interests of China and the EU to work together and learn from each other based on mutual respect and equality.

Ambassador Qi emphasized that there was only one China in the world, Taiwan was an inalienable part of China's territory and the government of the People's Republic of China was the only legitimate government of China. The one-China principle had been the consensus of the international community and the basic norm of international relations, which was also clearly written in the communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Croatia. Recently, some foreign politicians had been provoking China on the Taiwan issue, seriously infringing upon China's sovereignty, seriously interfering in China's internal affairs, trying to hollow out the one-China principle, and seriously endangering the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait. China firmly opposed "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and external interference, and no country had the right to be a referee on the Taiwan issue. The Chinese government and people resolutely safeguarded national sovereignty and territorial integrity and were determined to achieve national reunification and national rejuvenation.

On behalf of Speaker Jandroković and all members of the Croatian Parliament, Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Mr. Željko Reiner extended warm congratulations to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Croatia and China, and the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. He said that over the past 30 years, the political relations between Croatia and China had been continuously deepened, the cooperation in various fields had yielded fruitful results, and the two sides had maintained close exchanges at all levels. China was an ancient civilization with a long history, a contemporary economic power, and a sincere and friendly partner of Croatia. Not long ago, the opening of the Pelješac Bridge for traffic demonstrated the friendship between the two countries. Mr. Željko Reiner said that we should make the bridge an eternal witness to the profound friendship between Croatia and China based on mutual trust, mutual respect, and mutual understanding, as well as a symbol of mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation between the two countries with huge differences in size and population - a small country Croatia and a big country China.

The State Secretary of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lucić delivered a speech on behalf of the Ministry Of Foreign and European Affairs Mr. Gordan Grlić Radman. He warmly congratulated the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and spoke highly of the achievements of China-Croatia relations. He said that the Pelješac Bridge was a landmark project with strategic significance for Croatia, which fulfilled the long-cherished wish of the people to connect the north and the south, and became a model of cooperation among Croatia, China, and Europe. Croatia had the confidence to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields including politics, economy, trade, people-to-people, and cultural engagement, and promote friendship between the two peoples. He wished the People's Republic of China prosperity, happiness, and well-being to the people.

The reception set up the "Photo Exhibition of the 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of China-Croatia Diplomatic Relations and Important Cooperation Between the Two Countries", which used vivid pictures to show the cooperation results of the 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Croatia, and tell the moving story of the friendly exchanges between the Chinese and Croatian people, describe the contribution of Chinese enterprises' investment and cooperation in Croatia to the development of Croatia's economy and people's livelihood. At the reception, propaganda books such as "Xi Jinping: The Governance of the Country" and "Chinese Wisdom in Xi Jinping’s Words", souvenirs and traditional Chinese handicrafts for the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Croatia, were warmly welcomed by the guests. At the reception, teachers and students of the Confucius Institute and Chinese music bands performed a series of splendid programs such as martial arts, traditional Han Chinese clothes show, and famous Chinese songs. A calligraphy experience booth was set up, allowing the guests to experience the profoundness of Chinese culture. The guests congratulated on 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. They highly praised the achievements of China's development, as well as achievements of China-Croatia friendly cooperation, and wished China-Croatia relations to step onto a new level, and the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China a complete success!