It is a great pleasure to gather with old and new friends here in Sarajevo, where we celebrate 30 years of China-BiH friendship and envision future cooperation. First of all, please allow me to extend a warm welcome to all the distinguished guests! I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina and China-BiH Friendship Association for their strong support. My sincere appreciation also goes to all those from various sectors who have made outstanding contributions to the development of China-BiH relations. Today’s conference is not only a feast of ideas, but also a window through which to observe modern China. This evening, we will host a film reception, so we are delighted to call today both China Day and Friendship Day.
On April 3 of 1995, the People’s Republic of China and Bosnia and Herzegovina have formally established diplomatic relations, ushering in a new chapter of cooperation between our two countries. Chinese president Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the Chairwomen of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ms. Željka Cvijanović, emphasizing that both sides have developed bilateral relations based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and win-win cooperation, setting an example of friendly coexistence and joint development between countries of different sizes, histories, cultures, and social systems. The two sides have always respected each other's political systems and development paths, extended mutual support on issues concerning their core interests, and we have stood side by side in times of hardship—truly living out the saying:“a friend in need is a friend indeed.”
China stands as Bosnia and Herzegovina's largest trading partner in Asia. With the deepening of high-quality Belt and Road Initiative and the Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries, the bilateral trade increased 15.2% year-on-year in 2024. China's energy and infrastructure projects in BiH have delivered tangible benefits to local communities. Due to the visa-free policy, enthusiasm among Chinese tourists for visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to rise. The Confucius Institutes and Chinese Studies programs in universities have been running a variety of activities. The National People’s Congress of China and the Parliament of BiH have maintained friendly exchanges.
Ladies and gentlemen, Dear friends,
This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations. It has been proved that the two sides are partners, not rivals. Over the past five decades, China-EU cooperation has come a long way. Bilateral trade has expanded from US$2.4 billion to US$780 billion. Investment has increased from almost zero to close to US$260 billion. The China-Europe Railway Express has run more than 100,000 trips. Fifty years on, China and the EU jointly make up over one-third of the world economy, and the cooperation between the two has a greater strategic value and global influence.
The world today is experiencing a "turbulent spring". With accelerating changes unseen in a century, the international landscape is undergoing the most profound shifts since the World War II. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. From the 51 founding members who signed the UN Charter in 1945 to the current 193 member states jointly addressing global affairs, the ship that carries the shared destiny of humanity has nearly quadrupled in size. Yet its navigation has also become more challenging than ever. In the face of the changing international landscape, how should humanity respond, and where should we steer our course? China has offered its answer: building a community with a shared future for mankind.
First, China is committed to being a force for global peace. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, China has never provoked a war or occupied an inch of others' land. We has constitutionally affirmed the path of peaceful development. China is now the largest contributor of peacekeeping personnel among the permanent members of the United Nation Security Council and the second largest contributor to both the UN regular budget and peacekeeping assessments. On hotspot issues like the Ukraine crisis and Israeli-Palestinian conflict, China has consistently advocated for resolving disputes through dialogue and negotiation.China will inject greater certainty and stability into a turbulent world.
Second, China is committed to being a force for global development. Interdependence is no longer our choice, It’s our condition, our only choice is whether we forge healthy interdependencies and rise together, or maintain unhealthy interdependencies and fall together. When certain country imposed "reciprocal tariffs" on nations worldwide, China has given all the least-developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines. When certain country erects walls to expel immigrants and isolates itself, China has streamlined cross-border mobility and provided better business environment. At present, China has implemented unilateral visa free policies for 38 countries and extended transit visa exemptions of up to 240 hours for travelers from 54 countries. When certain country is focused on extracting global "dividends," China puts AI-driven innovation and consumption upgrades as the top priority task. China has set its economic growth target for this year at around 5%, with the goal of creating over 12 million new urban jobs. The Production of new energy vehicles has surpassed 13 million units.
Third, China is committed to being a force for human progress. We will insist on shaking hands rather than shaking fists, tearing down walls instead of building barriers, connecting instead of decoupling. We uphold true multilateralism, and advance an equal and orderly multi-polar world. China has all along upheld the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, supported the UN in playing a central role in international affairs. All countries, regardless of their size, should be treated as equals. Every country should have their voice heard. Every country should be able to find their place in a multi-polar world. No country should be seated at the table one day and end up on the menu the next. We call for enhancing the representation and voice of developing countries in the international system.
There is a saying in Bosnia and Herzegovina: “Friendship is like wine, it gets better with age.” And in China, we say: “Though oceans apart, friends are always close at heart.”May our friendship transcend mountains and seas, bringing mutual understanding and closeness. I wish today’s event a great success! Thank you!