Relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and China are improving every year, aiming for realization of several projects in BiH, was stated during the meeting of BiH’s intellectuals on Sunday in the capital Sarajevo.
President of the Association of Independent Intellectuals “Circle 99” and organizer Adil Kulenovic pointed out that China is actively present in BiH with numerous initiatives and projects that are being implemented, contributing to the overall economic development of the country.
Kulenovic said he hopes that cooperation with China will continue in good direction, as it has been for the last 20 years, adding that BiH can learn and take China as an example of successful country with economic prosperity and respect of human rights.
“BiH has accepted to be the part of 16 plus 1 project, expecting to have certain benefits from the project, and incentives for its economic development and stability,” Kulenovic added.
Proposed in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes of the Silk Road.
China is a strong country and BiH needs it as friend, BiH as a small country have to learn from the experiences of the big countries such as China, Kulenovic added.
Kulenovic also recalled that China’s voice in the United Nations “was the voice that stopped the end of 1992-1995 war and brought the stability to BiH and the region.”
During the conference titled “Experiences from China’s Development and Prosperity”, the introductory speech was given by the Chinese ambassador to BiH Ji Ping who pointed out on two areas of progress.
“In my opinion, cooperation in almost all areas is fast progressing. Particularly, I would single out two areas, building of traffic infrastructure and cooperation in the field of culture,” Ping said.
Ping added he hopes that the panel session will contribute to getting acquainted with friends from BiH, but also to enhancement of bilateral cooperation.
Ping explained that cooperation is always two-way, with no place to any political conditionality or interference in BiH’s internal affairs.
When it comes to economic cooperation and projects in BiH, Ping said Chinese businessmen perceive market in BiH optimistically, adding he hopes that thermal power plant “Blok 7” will be realized as soon as possible.
“I hope that the project will get all the approval and complete the administrative procedure, which will lead to implementation and final work,” Ping said, adding that BiH authorities have earlier reached consensus on continuation and cooperation with Chinese companies.
Ping added that cooperation in the field of society and culture is well advanced, pointing out on the cooperation with high level educational institutions in three BiH’s major cities.
Ping concluded by saying that mutual cultural cooperation is progressing rapidly, and there are numerous good examples within the “Belt and Road” Initiative as well as “16 + 1”, announcing winter sports festival for students this year in BiH and ministerial conference on transport and communications.
During the session, panelists discussed China’s economy, relations between China and the world, as well as bilateral cooperation with BiH.
(Source: Xinhua, Sarajevo Times)
