On April 10th, Premier Li Keqiang attended the opening ceremony of China-Croatia Tourism Year with his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenkovic in Zagreb, and delivered a speech.
Li Keqiang congratulated on the successful holding of cultural and tourism year by two countries. Both China and Croatia have a long history, splendid culture and dazzling natural scenery. He expressed that a long history of exchanges between two peoples plays an important role in deepening the friendship and promoting the exchanges and mutual learning between the east and the west.
The Chinese government supports the two countries' efforts to expand tourism cooperation, said Li, noting that 250,000 Chinese tourists visited Croatia in 2018. The premier also expressed the hope that, when conditions are ripe, direct flights can be opened in accordance with market and commercial rules to make it easier for people to travel between the two countries. Li added that he believes Croatia will attract more and more Chinese tourists, and expects more Croatian people to visit China.
Li said he was very looking forward to attend the Eighth Meeting of Heads of Government between China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) Countries in this historical city of Dubrovnik. Meanwhile tomorrow. He was willing to work with the 16 CEE nations to commit to a deeper and wider “16+1” mechanism.
Plenkovic said the Croatian people have developed a friendly affection for Chinese people and showed a great interest in splendid Chinese culture and time-honored Chinese civilization. Li’s visit is a friendly and cooperative trip. The holding of China-Croatia Cultural and Tourism Year will further deepen Croatia-China friendship and bring the two peoples closer. Croatia, he added, is willing to work with China to promote practical cooperation in such fields as culture and tourism so as to advance bilateral cooperation.
Then they jointly unveiled the cultural and tourism year, and visited an exhibition of cultural relics held by the National Museum of China.