On June 30, Ambassador Li Fan visited Banja Luka and paid a courtesy call to the President of the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Milorad Dodik. Counselor Gai Guoqiang accompanied.

Ambassador Li stated that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, bilateral relations have made significant progress. China is willing to work with Bosnia and Herzegovina to deepen political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, strengthen people-to-people ties, and promote bilateral relations to a new level.

Ambassador Li highlighted that local-level exchanges between China and BiH have yielded fruitful results. China has participated in multiple economic and trade cooperation projects in the Republic of Srpska, covering areas such as infrastructure and new energy, which have brought tangible benefits to the local people. The Confucius Institute and Sinology Department of the University of Banja Luka, as well as the Sinology Department at the University of East Sarajevo, have cultivated numerous students proficient in Chinese language and culture. A large number of Chinese tourists have visited the Republic of Srpska, enhancing people-to-people exchanges. The Republic of Srpska has also signed sister-city MOU with several regions in China, including Gansu Province. China looks forward to further strengthening friendly cooperation in all fields.

President Dodik welcomed Ambassador Li’s visit, wished her success in her tenure, and highly appreciated China’s objective and fair stance on international affairs. He welcomed more Chinese enterprises to invest and develop in the Republic of Srpska and expressed his hope for the continued success of the Confucius Institute and the Sinology Department of the University of Banja Luka.

The two sides also exchanged views on the current political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On the same day, Ambassador Li also met with Radovan Višković, Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska, and Nenad Stevandić, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska.