Croatia sees growing opportunities for deepening cooperation with Beijing in green development as China enters a new stage of growth, the Croatian envoy said.

Croatian Ambassador to China Dario Mihelin highlighted sustainability as an increasingly important pillar of bilateral ties, saying the two countries are well-positioned to expand synergy in areas ranging from ecological conservation to clean energy.

"I've been here (in China) for several years, since the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20). This is my third five-year plan to follow," Mihelin told China Daily. "Certainly, in the niche (areas) of sustainable development and ecological transition, I sense a strong potential for cooperation between Croatia and China."

As for sustainable development, "it's something that immediately brings us to reflect on the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), with a strong focus on making this country more beautiful and healthier", the ambassador said, adding that the emphasis on green development offers new opportunities.

Mihelin said the two countries have already translated partnerships into tangible results, including major infrastructure projects that have incorporated sustainability considerations.

He pointed to the landmark Peljesac Bridge, set to celebrate the fourth anniversary of its opening in July. Since its inception, the project has prioritized marine conservation through eco-friendly engineering and construction.

"This bridge is a true symbol of our cooperation and partnership," he said of the 2.4-kilometer-long bridge.

Built by a Chinese consortium led by the China Road and Bridge Corporation and mainly funded by the European Union, the bridge connects the Croatian mainland with the Peljesac Peninsula, slashing the transit time from up to three hours to just minutes.

"It's a unique example of cooperation between an EU member state … in this case, Croatia, the European Union and China," he said.

"Chinese companies participated in the public procurement and bidding process and won that bid, and then executed the project in line with all the EU regulations and standards."

While the bridge is often associated with the Belt and Road Initiative, Mihelin stressed it represents something broader: a successful model of practical joint efforts between China and Europe. He said that future opportunities increasingly lie in low-carbon development.

"The color of cooperation between China and the European Union is green," said Mihelin, adding that the description also applies to relations between Croatia and China, as evidenced by the Senj Wind Farm, built by China's Norinco International and one of the largest Chinese investments in Croatia.

"The cooperation and investment in the field of renewables certainly point to the fact that our cooperation is green," he said. "It's further strengthened by the cooperation that exists between our national parks."

The Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia and Jiuzhaigou National Park in China's Sichuan province, "really look like twins" and "have fantastic cooperation in the preservation of the special geological features", Mihelin said of the two tourist hot spots.

People exchanges

People-to-people exchanges also remain an important part of bilateral relations. Before the pandemic, nearly half a million Chinese tourists visited Croatia annually, Mihelin said, adding that tourism numbers are steadily recovering.

Infrastructure links created through projects such as the Peljesac Bridge have also helped improve access to surrounding areas such as Korcula, frequently visited by Chinese tourists interested in legendary explorer Marco Polo, and Dubrovnik, known for the filming location of the television series Game of Thrones.

This momentum is further propelled by China's decision to extend the unilateral visa-free policy for Croatian citizens until the end of this year.

The positive trajectory in people-to-people exchanges was on full display in Beijing last week. To mark Croatia's Armed Forces Day and Statehood Day, a cultural evening was held in the Chinese capital, where traditional music from the Hrvatsko Zagorje region, north of the capital Zagreb, took center stage. This celebration also comes as the two nations commemorate the diplomatic ties established 34 years ago.

Mihelin also expressed hope that direct flights between China and Croatia could be launched in the future.

"Certainly, a direct flight connection between China and Croatia would bring more people-to-people contacts, more Chinese friends to Croatia and more Croatians visiting China," he said.

Contact the writers at shaoxinying@chinadaily.com.cn