Your Excellency Mr. Kemal Ademović, Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Your Excellency Mr. Marinko Čavara, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to join old and new friends in this beautiful evening of Autumn for the celebration of the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I wish to extend a warm welcome to all of you. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to friends who have long been committed to the development of China-Bosnia and Herzegovina relations. My greetings also go to Chinese compatriots who work, study and live in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Over the past 77 years, the Communist Party of China has united and led the Chinese people in forging ahead with persistent efforts. China has created two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability.The Chinese nation has achieved a great leap from standing up, getting rich to growing strong. At the moment, China is advancing the cause towards a strong and prosperous country and national rejuvenation in all respects through Chinese modernization, and is creating more opportunities for the world when developing itself.
First, an innovative China injects strong impetus into global development.
This year marks the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. China is following an innovation-driven development strategy and steadily advancing high-standard scientific and technological self-reliance and strength. In July this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping, at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, put forward a comprehensive and systematic Chinese vision for improving global AI governance. His prepositions emphasize taking a people-centered approach and developing AI for the positive and for good, helping the Global South bridge the AI divide, establishing a World AI Cooperation Organization and supporting the United Nations in advancing global AI governance. China stands ready to strengthen innovation cooperation with countries around the world and share the opportunities brought by technological progress.
Second, a people-centered China ensures that the fruits of modernization benefit the people. China has always put the people first in its development, and taken the improvement of people’s well-being as the fundamental goal of development. China has made the historic achievement of eliminating absolute poverty and built a moderately prosperous society in all respects. China has also set up the world’s largest education system, medical care system and social security system. China’s development is ultimately about improving people’s living standard. It is about turning the aspirations of every family for a better life into reality.
Third, a green China contributes Chinese strength to global green transition. China has been practicing the “green is gold” philosophy. The world’s largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system has been built. Wind power, solar power and other clean energy industries are developing rapidly. New energy vehicles, energy storage and other green industries are also growing steadily. With these achievement, China has made contributions to global energy transition and addressing climate change.
Fourth, an open China brings more opportunities for global cooperation. From deepening institutional opening-up to advancing the development of pilot free trade zones; from promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to hosting the China International Import Expo for eight consecutive years, China’s door is opening ever wider. Recently, the IMF, while lowering its forecast for global economic growth in 2026, has raised its forecast for China’s economic growth by 0.2 percentage points. This reflects the international community’s positive expectations for the prospects of the Chinese economy. China stands ready to provide a more stable, transparent and predictable environment for opening-up and share development opportunities with countries around the world.
Fifth, a peaceful China demonstrates its sense of responsibility as a major country. China has always followed a path of peaceful development, worked to build a community with a shared future for humanity, and pursued the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative. China advocates the political settlement of hotspot issues, abides by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, repsects state sovereignty, opposes the use of force, and promotes dialogue and consultation to resolve differences.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear friends,
Over the past 31 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-Bosnia and Herzegovina relations have maintained steady and sound development under the strategic guidance of the heads of state of the two countries. The two sides have developed bilateral relations on the basis of equal treatment, mutual respect and mutual benefit. We support each other’s choice of development path. We support each other on issues concerning our respective core interests and major concerns.
We finalize practical cooperation that delivers benefits to local people. In recent years, under the framework of high-quality Belt and Road Initiative and China-Central and Eastern European Countries cooperation, China and Bosnia and Herzegovina have achieved positive results in cooperation in infrastructure, renewable energy and other areas. Highway projects undertaken by Chinese enterprises have improved regional connectivity. Renewable energy projects including the Ivovik Wind Farm have contributed to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s green and low-carbon transition. The “Sveti Apostol Luka” hospital in Doboj has provided more convenient access to medical services for 330,000 local residents. Chinese companies have also actively fulfilled their social responsibilities. For instance, since 2002, a Chinese company has been helping bring medication from China for a local patient suffering from epilepsy.
We promote people-to-people exchanges and write new chapters for China-BiH friendship. In recent years, China and Bosnia and Herzegovina have seen stronger exchanges in areas of education, culture, tourism and sports. Young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina have proactively participated in the “Chinese Bridge” program, gaining better understanding of China. Kristijan Ostojic, a student from University of East Sarajevo, was awarded the Excellence Award at the 25th Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students. The Bosnia and Herzegovina national sitting volleyball team competed at the 2026 Sitting Volleyball World Championship in Hangzhou and achieved excellent results. An increasing number of Chinese tourist are visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina, while more and more young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina are actively experiencing and embracing Chinese lifestyles. Today, I am very happy to invite Hunan Chinese Traditional Orchestra from my hometown to present a wonderful performance.
We encourage exchanges between younger generations to secure a brighter future for China-BiH innovation cooperation.Artificial intelligence, digital economy and green technologies are opening up new space for cooperation between our two countries. In July, young leaders from China’s Tsinghua University and universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered in Sarajevo and exchanged views on AI development and application. In August, students from Bosnia and Herzegovina won the CASTIC AWARD at the 2026 China Adolescents Science and Technology Innovation Contest. The Chinese Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina has also established “The Ambassador Scholarship” to encourage local students with outstanding academic performance or financial difficulties to work hard and pursue their dreams.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A Bosnian wisdom says that distance cannot separate people who are close at heart. China has an ancient poem saying that a bosom friend afar brings a distant land near. Recently, a Bosnian friend who just concluded his journey to China said that Bosnia and Herzegovina and China are geographically distant and have been shaped by different historical and cultural experience. Nevertheless, I believe that our cultures share a profound respect for family, hospitality, friendship, mutual respect and the value of keeping one’s word. I fully share this view. I sincerely invite all my friends here to visit China, experience firsthand the extraordinary vitality and diversity of Chinese modernization.
Ladies and gentlemen,`
May I invite you all to join me in a toast,
to the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China,
to the enduring friendship between China and Bosnia and Herzegovina,
to the good health and success of you all.
Cheers!