China–Croatia Relations: Preview and Outlook

The bilateral relations between Croatia and China have been friendly ever since the diplomatic relations were established in 1992. However, not much is going on in terms of economic relations and trade despite many efforts to intensify economic cooperation. In 2017, the first notable Chinese investment was realised in Croatia in the tourism sector, and a Chinese consortium won a tender to implement a politically important transport infrastructure project in Croatia. This chapter gives a review of the milestones of both political and economic relations since the Croatian independence to the present days. It also looks at relations within policy-specific frameworks such as Belt and Road Initiative, CEEC and China cooperation and China–EU relations. The conclusion includes the sectors with the most potentials and interests as well as the outlook of political and economic relations.
Keywords: China, Croatia, bilateral relations, Chinese investment