The "New idea, new opportunity, new development" seminar was organised by the Chinese Embassy, HAZU and the Croatian Foreign Ministry on the occasion of 25 years of Croatian-Chinese diplomatic relations.
"Over the past 25 years, the mutual understanding of the two peoples has deepened greatly. Pragmatic cooperation between Croatia and China has gained in strength. Last year our trade reached $1.2 billion, which means that it grew over 30 times in the past 25 years," Hu said, adding that "our relations are at a new start, facing new historical circumstances."
Croatian exports to China in 2016 accounted for only $90 million of the trade.
Hu said China was the second strongest world economy and that now "is the right time to share opinions on new ideas, the opportunities that are opening and on new development." Although the two countries have established a "comprehensive, cooperative partnership," he noted that bilateral cooperation "lags behind" China's cooperation with Croatia's neighbours and that there was "room for improving cooperation, notably in the economy."
"We must seize the chances we have... We must utilise the platforms which offer the best prospect for the development of bilateral relations," Hu said, highlighting the One Belt and One Road Initiative and the Three Seas Initiative. The latter is promoted by Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic and Hu said it was "to a large extent compatible" with the Chinese initiative.
"As for the One Belt and One Road Initiative, Croatia has a special place in it because it is at the sea and land crossroads of the Silk Road," the ambassador said.
He also mentioned China + 16, the platform on China's cooperation with 16 central and southeast European countries, and Chinese cities and provinces which represent "new cooperation channels." He said Croatia had the possibility to cooperate with provinces whose economies were as strong as some of those in the G20 group.
Hu said he was pleased that Croats were increasingly interested in Chinese culture and that more and more Chinese visited Croatia. "The Confucius Institute attracts many Croats interested in Chinese culture, notably young people. Last year the number of Chinese tourists in Croatia exceeded 100,000 for the first time and in the first part of this year the number increased by 16%."
Speaking of the development of diplomatic relations, Hu recalled that Zagreb and Beijing had supported each other on some key issues. "China supported Croatia's independence and its economic development. On the other hand, Croatia supported our key national interests such as the One China principle. China sees Croatia as a reliable partner in the European Union."
He announced for September 29 a big celebration at the Pula amphitheatre at which the Chinese Embassy, in cooperation with the City of Pula and Istria County, will mark the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and Chinese National Day, observed on October 1.