On October 17, 2026 local time, Croatian Prime Minister Plikovic met with Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Zagreb.

Plinkovic asked Wang Yi to convey sincere greetings to Chinese leaders and expressed his anticipation for an early visit to China and meeting with Chinese leaders. Plinkovic said that the current relationship between Croatia and China is constantly improving, and mutual respect and sincere cooperation are important foundations. Chinese enterprises are carrying out infrastructure construction such as highways, bridges, tunnels, etc. in Croatia, including the iconic Pelechac Bridge, which plays an important role in the interconnection between different regions of Croatia. Kefang expresses deep appreciation for this and welcomes Chinese enterprises to continue participating in the construction of Kefang. The Croatian side is willing to further expand cooperation in tourism, photovoltaics, wind power and other fields. We welcome the opening of direct flights between the two countries and look forward to strengthening exchanges between the peoples of the two countries.

Pulenkovic said that the Croatian side attaches great importance to cooperation with China under the framework of China Central and Eastern European countries and the "the Belt and Road", is willing to continue to make efforts to this end, and looks forward to resuming the mechanism of meeting between leaders of Central and Eastern Europe and China as soon as possible with China, which will create new opportunities for closer high-level exchanges between each other.

Wang Yi conveyed the good wishes of Chinese leaders to Plinkovic and welcomed him to visit China at a convenient time for both sides. Wang Yi stated that China was one of the earliest major powers to establish diplomatic relations with Croatia. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, bilateral relations have maintained healthy, stable, and sustainable development. Both sides have established a mature and long-term comprehensive cooperative partnership by treating each other with sincerity on the basis of mutual respect. This is the correct choice made by both sides, and China is willing to further enhance the positioning of bilateral relations on this basis.

Wang Yi stated that this trip aims to convey several messages to Croatia: firstly, China values its traditional friendship with Croatia and is willing to transform it into an important driving force for the development of bilateral relations in the new era. Secondly, China respects the choices of the Croatian people and the national governance model, and is willing to deepen mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation with Croatia to assist in their respective development and revitalization. Thirdly, China attaches great importance to cultural exchanges between China and Croatia, and has taken measures such as unilateral visa free travel and opening direct flights to promote personnel exchanges and people to people exchanges between the two countries. Fourthly, the Chinese side firmly believes that China and Europe are partners rather than rivals, supports the process of European integration, supports Croatia in achieving faster development in this process, and plays a constructive role in deepening China Europe cooperation.

Wang Yi stated that China and Central and Eastern European countries have a practical need to strengthen exchanges and promote cooperation. The complete openness and transparency of the cooperation between the two sides will also contribute to advancing the process of European integration. China is willing to strengthen cooperation in various fields within the mechanism with willing regional countries. The Chinese side appreciates the positive attitude taken by the Croatian side towards this and is willing to take the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the mechanism next year as an opportunity to revitalize mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Central and Eastern Europe.

Both sides exchanged views on China EU economic and trade relations. Plinkovic stated that EU countries, including Croatia, are concerned about trade imbalances. At the just held EU summit, all parties positively evaluated the consensus reached by the China EU trade and investment consultation mechanism and hoped that both sides would continue to strengthen communication and dialogue on resolving differences.

Wang Yi stated that the trade issues between China and Europe are caused by international division of labor and market demand. The EU imports high-quality and cost-effective goods from China, benefiting EU citizens, curbing inflation, and reflecting the objective demand of the European market. There is no such thing as "overcapacity". China is willing to import more high value-added European products and hopes that the European side will relax export restrictions on China. China is willing to promote an upward rather than downward balance in economic and trade relations, move forward rather than backward, and make the cake bigger rather than smaller. China is willing to uphold the spirit of equality and mutual benefit, strengthen dialogue with the European side, jointly raise the banner of safeguarding free trade, and promote open and inclusive economic globalization.

Plinkovic introduced the current situation in the Western Balkans. Wang Yi stated that China does not interfere in the internal affairs of regional countries and hopes that countries can enhance understanding, rebuild mutual trust, and live in harmony through dialogue. China is willing to play a constructive role according to the needs of regional countries.Editor/Yang Meiling