Exclusive | Respect key European Union values, Croatian ambassador urges as China seeks to expand belt and road into Europe
- Croatian ambassador says Beijing’s drive to expand influence in Eastern and Central Europe must acknowledge principles such as fair trading rules and human rights
China should adhere to the European Union’s key principles as it seeks to expand its influence in Central and Eastern Europe, according to the Croatian ambassador to Beijing.
Dario Mihelin said these principles included non-discrimination, a level playing field for businesses and the so-called three pillars of the United Nations – peace and security, human rights and development.
“These are all tremendously important principles in relations between the EU and China and bilateral relations with EU member states with China,” Mihelin said.
The cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European Countries (China-CEEC) – better known as the “16+1” initiative – is often portrayed by Chinese state media as the “high ground of cooperation” under President Xi Jinping’s signature “Belt and Road Initiative” and a way into the heart of Europe.
But the growing trade deficit with China and the lack of concrete results has caused increasing concern in the region that the annual forum will not generate the economic boost and Chinese investment participants had hoped for.
At the 16+1 summit in Croatia earlier this month, Premier Li Keqiang tried to allay these concerns, saying that China would speed up the process of opening its markets and would buy more from the region.