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China’s ambassador for CdM: Montenegro isn’t China’s Trojan horse

China respects Montenegro’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the development path you have chosen, says in the interview for CdM, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to our country, Mr Liu Jin. He says that Montenegro isn’t the Trojan horse of China and adds that such statements are intended to spoil friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. Construction of the priority highway section will be a monument to China-Montenegro friendship, a symbol of Chinese generous help to the development of Montenegro. Ambassador says that Montenegro’s beauty is breathtaking. He talks about the Silk Road, current affairs in Honk Kong, and relations with the USA.

CdM: What is your opinion about the cooperation with competent institutions in Montenegro regarding construction of the priority highway section? Are Chinese investors interested in building other sections of the highway?

Mr Liu Jin: The famous Chinese philosopher, Kang Youwei, traveled to the Balkans in 1908 and predicted that Montenegro “will be a prosperous nation when its traffic connection improves, some hundred years later”. And just slightly more than hundred years later, his prediction became a reality in Montenegro. Highway project in Montenegro is a road to the full development of this country and better life of its citizens. Construction of priority highway section is a monument of Montenegro-China friendship, symbol of China’s sincere assistance to the Montenegro’s development.

As the flagship cooperation project between our two countries, priority part of the highway isn’t just the first of its kind in the history of Montenegro, but this is also the first time that a Chinese company has built large-scale transport infrastructure in Montenegro. Obstacles and challenges aren’t insurmountable. Since the beginning of this project, both sides have been cooperating closely and successfully, accumulating experiences and overcoming problems. Implementation of the project is going smoothly. Moračica bridge was connected on 11 October. This bridge is the key part of the priority section and guarantees the completion of the entire project. As far as the construction of other sections is concerned, it is up to the both parties to negotiate. Once the highway is finished, Montenegro will be connected to Serbia and further, to the hinterland of Europe, which will be useful for the people in Montenegro and other European countries in the decades to come.

Moračica bridge

China interested in renewable energy

CdM: Apart from infrastructure, what are other economic branches which Chinese investors would invest in? Are there any new projects in sight?

Mr Liu Jin: According to the IMPF and the World Bank reports, Montenegro’s economy has been making considerable progress in recent years and is one of the best countries in the Western Balkans. Chinese government encourages its companies to invest in Montenegro. However, progress in investment cooperation hinges on the market. As far as I know, many Chinese companies have expressed great interest in investments in renewable energy and tourism industry in Montenegro.

Breathtaking nature

CdM: There’s an increasing demand from Chinese tourists to visit Montenegro.What do you think about that? What should be done in order to increase arrivals of Chinese tourists?

Mr Liu Jin: Montenegro’s nature is extraordinary and is rich in tourism resources. Number of Chinese tourists visiting Montenegro has reached record highs in recent years. Those who have already been to Montenegro are impressed. According to the statistics, number of Chinese tourists who visited Montenegro in the first nine months of 2019 exceeded the number recorded last year, contributing to booming of the local tourism economy and creation of new jobs. Without doubt, Montenegro will become a new tourist destination for Chinese tourists.

In order to attract attention of Chinese tourists even more, I think Montenegro needs bigger picture on the Chinese market, that is, better promotion. Also, construction of tourism infrastructure is necessary, together with more distinctive tourism products to suit taste of Chinese tourists. It is also very important to provide friendly, safe and comfortable travel experience.

CdM: Brussels officials said on many occasions that Montenegro “is the Trojan horse of China”. What’s your comment?

Mr Liu Jin: China respects sovereignty and territorial integrity of the WB countries. Our country respects the path people in the region have chosen and we understand and praise the efforts of the countries in the region to integrate into the EU. As far as Montenegro’s EU accession is concerned, China respects your development path and welcomes the accession process. Friendly bilateral relations between Montenegro and China are useful for both countries, and there’s no third-party meddling. The Cold War is over, but there’s still that war mentality lingering in the minds of some people. The Trojan horse analogy symbolizes the Cold war mentality and it lacks rationality and common sense. Such remarks are deliberately smearing friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between Montenegro and China. Not only is this unfair to China, but it’s also a sign of disrespect for Montenegro. The fewer people with this kind of Cold War mentality, the better, because this kind of thinking will neither contribute to the development of international relations, nor will it be conducive to maintaining national stability. It will only create contradictions and barriers.

CdM: Chinese investments in the WB have been on an upward trend for years. Apart from economic dependence, there’s also danger from the Chinese political influence in the Balkans. Does China really want to exert political influence in the Balkans?

Mr Liu Jin: Chinese investment in the WB is concentrated on the areas connected to the national economy and living standard, which has promoted regional economic growth, created new jobs, improved living standard of local people, and was widely welcomed by them. Such investment projects are important achievements of the Belt and Road Initiative and 17+1 cooperation. They are also a great example of a concept of cooperation between China and the rest of the world for the promotion of the Community of a Shared Future for Mankind. China has no political ambitions in the WB region and it doesn’t represent a strategic threat to the countries in the region. China and WB countries have been cherishing tradition of friendship and understanding. The scope of cooperation between Montenegro and China is still limited and does not create any form of dependence. China respects the WB countries’ independent choice of development path. Cooperation with China has promoted the development of of the economies of regional countries, so this influence is a positive influence and is also widely welcomed by central and Eastern European countries.

SILK ROAD

CdM: Are Balkan countries key link with the Beijing Silk Road, a project that is supposed to create the way for export to Europe and beyond its borders?

Throughout history, the Balkan region was one of the most important routes of the ancient Silk Road. Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by the president Xi Jinping in 2013,  linked this region to China once again. The BRI upholds the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.  This initiative supports the principles of comprehensive consultations, joint contribution and common benefit. The spirit of the Silk Road follows peace and cooperation, openness and inclusion, mutual learning and benefit. So far, China has signed BRI cooperation documents with more than 160 countries and international organizations. The trade volumes between China and these countries exceed $6 trillion. FDI investment exceeds $80 billion, creating more than 244,000 new jobs in these countries.  International community endorsed this Initiative. Implementation of BRI is focused on the coordination of policy, connection of infrastructure, smooth trade, financial integration and closer ties among people. This is closely related to promoting trade and investment and exchanges in various fields. Next month, China will host the second International Import Expo in Shanghai, which reflects China’s determination to commit to a higher level of opening up. Specifically, China will strive to expand imports, actively reduce tariff levels, and eliminate trade barriers. The Expo is an important platform for all the countries including Montenegro to introduce products and services to the Chinese market. The Expo will be held annually, and I hope that Montenegro will seize this opportunity and make good use of this platform.

CdM: What’s your opinion about the trade relations with the USA. Do you think it is possible to reach a deal? Who will pay the price if the deal with the US authorities isn’t reached?

Mr Liu Jin: The essence of the Sino-US trade relations is mutual benefit. It comes as no surprise that both sides have disputes and frictions. The key rule is to settle them through a dialogue in the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. China hopes we will be able to reach a deal, but we can’t accept unfair deal, that undermines sovereignty, security and development. In case a deal doesn’t happen, interests of Chinese and American companies will be endangered. That will trigger turmoil on the financial market and jeopardize the growth of international trade and world economy.

In the latest round of Sino-US talks on the high level of economy and trade in Washington, both sides held honest, efficient and constructive talks on economic and trade issues and made a substantial progress. It’s the result of joint efforts. The Chinese side firmly believes that a progress can be made only on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. China is willing to continue to work with the USA to settle differences in the economy and trade, through dialogue and cooperation and to put bilateral economic and trade relations back on the track as soon as possible.

One country, two systems

CdM: The situation in Hong Kong attracts attention of international media. Could you tell is what is really going on in Honk Kong?

Mr Liu Jin: In the past three months, society in Hong Kong has been divided when it comes to the extradition bill. However, the nature of the situation has completely changed as protests have escalated and become more than the expression of dissatisfaction. Motivated by external factors, and anti-Chinese forces, Hong Kong radical forces and violent gangs took the opportunity to undermine rule of law and challenge “the one country, two systems principle” by making troubles, disrupting public order, destroying public facilities and violently attacking the police. It has become the broadest consensus and the strongest appeal of all walks of life in Hong Kong to stop the turmoil and restore order. Given the fact that the Chinese government is a responsible government, it supports the government of the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong in its efforts to administer in accordance with the law. Situation in Hong Kong is the reflection of Chinese internal affairs and no any foreign government, force or organization should interfere. I hope that the external forces recognize that Hong Kong is China’s Hong Kong and stop interfering in Hong Kong and China’s internal affairs.

In fact, since the return of Hong Kong, the principles of “one country, two systems”Hong Kong people govern Hong Kong and High Degree of Autonomy have been fully implemented. The rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents have been fully guaranteed in accordance with the law and far exceed the pre-return level. Hong Kong can only maintain broader development prospects based on the development of the mainland. It is in the interest of all parties to restore Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability as soon as possible.

The proximity of mountains and the sea

CdM: When somebody mentions Montenegro, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?

Mr Liu Jin: Ever since I assumed this function, I have been in many places in Montenegro. To see mountains and the sea so close, it’s a rarity. Landscapes are so diverse.  The natural and cultural landscapes of northern mountains and southern coastal areas enhance each other’s beauty. People here impressed me with their warmth and hospitality and that inspired me to work on the improvement of cooperation and exchange between Montenegro and China.  But I also have the impression that China and Montenegro are far apart and that exchanges between our countries aren’t enough. I think we should organize more visits so that we can get to know our countries more and deepen mutual understanding. We should learn from each other more so as to consolidate friendship and expand cooperation.

Miraš Dušević 

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