Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlic Radman hailed the "excellent and expanding" relationship between Croatia and China, hoping for a stronger bilateral and China-EU partnership driven by increased collaboration in key sectors.

China is one of the key partners for Croatia's strategic projects, and Croatia's bilateral relations with the country are "excellent, expanding, and could be even stronger", said Radman on Tuesday at an event held by the Center for China and Globalization, a Beijing-based think tank. Radman visited China from Sunday to Tuesday, marking his first official visit to the country as Croatia's top diplomat.

The minister said he is impressed by the "magnificent culture and history" of China. On Monday, Radman met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, highlighting that China was one of the first countries to recognize Croatia's independence and sovereignty. He also emphasized the sound development of bilateral relations over the past three decades, built on mutual respect and benefit.

The historical connection between Croatia and China dates back centuries through the ancient Silk Road. The two nations established diplomatic ties in 1992 and elevated bilateral relations to a comprehensive cooperative partnership in 2005. The bilateral trade volume in 2024 reached $2.96 billion, marking a year-on-year increase of 16.8 percent.

Croatia joined the Belt and Road Initiative in 2017, with the Chinese-built Peljesac Bridge serving as a notable success. Inaugurated in 2022, the 2.4-kilometer bridge, constructed by a Chinese consortium led by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, connects mainland Croatia with the Peljesac Peninsula in the southern Adriatic coast. Since its opening, the bridge has significantly reduced travel time, improved transport links, and fostered economic growth in the region.

Looking ahead, Radman outlined ambitions to intensify cooperation across key sectors including trade, transport, digital transformation, investment and education. "I see huge potential in our countries' cooperation. Given our strategic position, Croatia is an ideal entry point to the European market," he said.

Beyond bilateral relations, he also noted the substantial economic ties between the EU and China. "China is the EU's second-largest trading partner, which should not be forgotten, with daily trade exceeding 2 billion euros ($2.35 billion). Trade exchanges between the EU and China remain strong, and investment ties are deep," he said.

Radman further stressed the importance of cooperation between the EU and China on a global scale.

"Despite different political and economic systems, the EU and China have a shared interest in pursuing constructive and stable relations," he said. "Cooperation with China in solving global issues remains crucial, particularly in addressing global challenges like climate change, public health and humanitarian assistance."

"I believe that maintaining dialogue is still the best way to address our differences. In the context of a polarized geopolitical environment, this approach can also decrease tensions to a certain extent," the minister said.

"We're not physical neighbors, but through mutual understanding, we feel close enough to connect. By adding all our voices, we can build a more prosperous future for all."

Yang Junyi contributed to this story.