China and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) are setting a remarkable example of friendly cooperation, strengthening ties through significant infrastructure projects and cultural exchanges.
Last September, a subsection of a new highway in BiH, constructed by a consortium of Chinese and Azerbaijani companies, officially opened. The Pocitelj-Zvirovici subsection, part of the pan-European Corridor Vc highway, features a four-lane dual carriageway spanning approximately 11 kilometers, including the nearly one-kilometer-long Hercegovina Bridge. Once fully completed, this project is poised to become an economic lifeline for Central and Eastern Europe, greatly enhancing the flow of people and goods across the region.
In January, during a ceremony to welcome the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to BiH, Li Fan, Zeljka Cvijanovic, chairwoman of the presidency of BiH, praised the strong relations between BiH and China. “BiH-China relations set a model of friendly cooperation,” she said, emphasizing the country’s commitment to strengthening political and economic ties with China, as well as enhancing exchanges in education, tourism, and culture.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and BiH. Over the past three decades, the two countries have consistently respected each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, engaging in mutually beneficial cooperation founded on equality.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative has played a significant role in bringing tangible benefits to BiH, particularly in infrastructure development and cultural exchanges. Chinese enterprises are actively involved in building critical infrastructure in BiH, including highways, railways, and power stations. They’ve also completed key projects that directly impact daily life, such as urban rail transit systems, hospitals, and sewage treatment facilities.
One notable project is the renovation of the Sarajevo tram line. As the city’s most iconic mode of transportation, the tram system had not seen major upgrades for decades. The recent renovation has significantly enhanced the city’s image and improved transportation efficiency, making daily commutes smoother for residents and more appealing for visitors.
In 2018, a visa exemption agreement between China and BiH for citizens holding ordinary passports came into effect. This policy has provided essential support for cultural exchanges and economic cooperation between the two countries. According to BiH’s Agency for Statistics, there has been a significant increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting BiH in recent years. Haris Fazlagic, president of the Tourist Board of Sarajevo Canton, attributed this rise to the visa-free policy. “We’ve seen a growing number of Chinese tourists in Sarajevo and other major cities,” he noted, expressing optimism for continued growth in the coming years.
As China and BiH continue to collaborate on key projects and policies, their strengthened partnership serves as a model for international cooperation, demonstrating how mutual respect and shared goals can lead to substantial benefits for both nations.
