Croatia Hopes to Enhance Economic Ties With China: PM

Li Peng Arrives in Croatia

Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said in Zagreb Friday that there are bright prospects for Croatia-China relations and he hopes to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various areas, particularly in the economic field.

"Croatia hopes to develop extensive cooperation with China in the economic field," Racan told Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), at a meeting.

Croatia has advantages in the pharmaceutical, machine-building and tourism industries, where the two countries can establish joint ventures, Racan said, adding that Croatia also welcomes Chinese investment in the former Yugoslav republic.

He expressed the hope that Croatia and China will make concerted efforts to implement various bilateral accords on cooperation in the economic and trade, scientific and technological, cultural, maritime transport and customs areas.

Li Peng Meets Croatian Prime Minister

Meanwhile, the Croatian premier also reiterated that his government will continue to adhere to its one China principle. Speaking on the same occasion, Li Peng elaborated on China's stance toward problems that still exist in regions of the former Yugoslavia.

China has no private interests in the region, and is willing to maintain and develop friendly cooperative relations with all the countries in the regions and treat them equally without discrimination.

China hopes that all the countries in the regions could solve various problems left over from history through dialogue, live in harmony and enjoy common development, the top Chinese legislator said.

Economic and trade cooperation is an important part of Sino- Croatian relations, he said. Despite low bilateral trade volume, he said, bilateral trade and economic relationship boosts huge potential and have a good prospect.

Li hoped that the two countries can make joint efforts to find out the needs of both sides and the possibility of cooperation, encourage and support contacts and cooperation of enterprises from both countries.

He believed that Croatia can surely achieve new accomplishments in foreign economic cooperation on basis of its resources and geographical advantages.