Editor's Note:
China and Moldova celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations on Sunday, four days ahead of the opening of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. Although the two countries are not geographically close, the two peoples have a long history of friendship and bilateral relations have been improving thanks to the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.
The Global Times (GT) reporters Zhao Juecheng and Cui Fandi had an exclusive interview with Dumitru Braghis (Braghis), Ambassador of Moldova to China, discussing the two countries' cooperation and achievements, and Moldova's expectations over the upcoming Winter Olympics. Moldova's red wine is well-known to the Chinese people. Now, the Moldovan ambassador hopes a successful Winter Olympics can bring the two countries even closer.
GT: China and Moldova are celebrating 30 years of diplomatic relations in 2022. Based on the Belt and Road Initiative, China and Moldova are building up stronger economic and trade cooperation. Please talk about the two countries' achievements and progress.
Braghis: Republic of Moldova and China have a long history of friendship and cooperation. I am proud to say that today our relations are on the rise, marked by excellent political, economic, cultural, and academic cooperation. Accounting all the results we achieved in the past 30 years, we can say that our friendship can be named as an example of a successful and positive relationship between a big and small country. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued the dialogue and cooperation.
Republic of Moldova is interested in cooperating with China within the framework of the large-scale China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative. Now, several big Chinese companies are discussing with the Moldovan side the initiation of cooperation projects in the field of road infrastructure development in our country.
Today, we can affirm that the two countries understand and support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, while pragmatic cooperation in various fields has continuously achieved new accomplishments. Our bilateral relations are supported by more than 60 cooperation agreements we signed; China is our fourth largest trading partner; China is our biggest market for wine in Asia, with 9 million bottles sold every year; Moldova is actively present on the biggest Chinese platform of digital commerce; we have three Moldova-China Cooperation Centers throughout China and signed several sister-city agreements; we have an increasing exchange of students and experts every year, and excellent people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
All these achievements laid a solid foundation for enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between Republic of Moldova and China. But of course, we still facing many challenges and need to improve even more in all areas of the bilateral agenda, and I am sure the best is yet to come.
GT: Do the two countries have plans to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations?
Braghis: Because the epidemic has been well controlled in China, the embassy maintained a fruitful dialogue with Chinese authorities, participated in the most major political, economic, and cultural events in China, organized various events to promote Republic of Moldova and Made in Moldova products in several regions of China. Moldovan companies in China participated in exhibitions, and the Embassy was involved in charity actions and promotion through livestreaming channels and so on. I can say with certainty that during the pandemic the bilateral dialogue did not stop.
Still, due to COVID-19 concern, we were not able to organize large-scale events on January 30. But after the Winter Olympics, we have already planned some meaningful events for the anniversary. We plan to organize a series of events named "Discover Moldova" in several Chinese cities with presentation on Moldova and Moldovan products, which I am sure will strengthen mutual understanding between our two countries and two peoples.
GT: Online shopping has become the most common way for Chinese consumers to touch new countries. Recently, you introduced Moldovan wines via live streaming. What are your plans to develop trade cooperation of taking advantage of e-commerce?
Braghis: It's not an exaggeration to affirm that Chinese digital economy is a leading global force. China is already one of the world's largest investors and adopters of digital technologies. China has the scale to drive rapid commercialization of digital business models and has the advantage of a very large home market of consumers who are young and eager to embrace digital in all its forms.
Considering all this, of course Moldovan companies in the Chinese market are aware of the importance of the Chinese online commerce platforms and are actively present on them. We have a Moldova National Pavilion on JD.com, being nominated as the site's Best Growing Partner. I personally participated in many online live-streaming programs, it was indeed a very interesting experience for me, and what made me specially content is the fact that with my participation, the products were sold in seconds!
GT: Looking forward to the next 30 years, China-Moldova cooperation still has great potential. In addition to the economic and trade fields, what are your expectations for the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in cultural, tourism and other fields?
Braghis: Honoring my duty, I am doing my best to bring both countries closer and create new opportunities for Moldovan and Chinese people. Talking about my concrete tasks, I will name a few, attracting Chinese capital to Moldova, consolidating and diversifying the presence of Moldovan products on the Chinese market, bringing more Chinese students and tourists to my country, bringing Chinese medicine closer to our people, as I personally strongly believe in its benefit.
The embassy is having a portfolio of 20 projects which we are eager to present to the Chinese side. One of the biggest and of strong perspective is the creation in Republic of Moldova of a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) university and a TCM clinic, in cooperation with our State Medicine University and local investors. Republic of Moldova is located an hour or two flight away from all the major European cities, and we already are a destination for medical tourism. By creating such a university and a TCM center in Moldova we can attract students and patients from both Eastern and Western Europe.
In my opinion, we should take as example the successful story of the Moldovan wine in China, and transfer it to other fields, such as tourism, students and expert exchanges and so on, and we will concentrate our efforts here. We are discussing with Chinese touristic companies the introduction of Moldova in their European itineraries. I am sure Chinese tourists will appreciate the idyllic landscapes of our country, the wine routes, the rural charm, the largest cellars in the world, which are located in Moldova, listed in the Guinness Book of records - "Milestii Mici" and "Cricova."
As we have many things to learn from China in terms of infrastructure, technology, and innovation, I concentrate my efforts on presenting the best Chinese practices and experiences in national development to relevant departments in my country. I personally hope that our cooperation develops more in renewable energy, electro-mobiles, modern transport technologies, economical digitalization, telecommunications etc. - areas where China excel.
As for our part, Moldova also has many things to share and provide, such as high standard education programs, excellent investment incentives, beautiful tourist sites, including UNESCO heritage sites, birdwatching and kayaking among others, export of high-quality agriproducts, and of course our culture, excellent wine, and the original flavor of our cuisine, and I try my best to make sure that more and more Chinese know about all this.
GT: The Beijing Winter Olympics will start in a few days. Could you outline the participation of Moldovan athletes in the Games?
Braghis: First, I want to congratulate on the very soon starting of the Beijing Winter Olympics! Hosting Olympic games is something that many cities can only dream about. Beijing, however, is one of the lucky ones, as it will be hosting the Olympics for the second time.
Republic of Moldova is sending a delegation of 10 athletes to attend the Games - biathlon and luge disciplines, and I am looking forward to seeing them perform, as a symbolic common celebration of Moldova and China friendship through sports. I hope that our Chinese friends can cheer for all of them.
GT: How will you be involved in the Games as an ambassador? What are your expectations for the Beijing Winter Olympics?
Braghis: I will sure watch the Games, as I am a big fan of winter sports with ice hockey and figure skating being my favorites. I will also attend the opening and the closing ceremony of the Games, and I am thrilled to have this unique experience. We all remember the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games and talking about the opening and the closing ceremony, I am sure, both shows will again impress the world.
I will give a close watch to our athletes' performances and I hope they will have some impressive appearance and make Moldova proud! As about losing or winning, I will quote Pierre de Coubertin: "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part, as the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well." I wish all the athletes remarkable achievements and unforgettable memories.
GT: The world is still going through the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, what do you think is the significance of the Beijing Winter Olympics?
Braghis: We all know that the goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world, without discrimination of any kind. The Olympic spirit requires mutual understanding, friendship, solidarity, and fair play. My personal wish is that through the Games the world will forget hostilities and will unite to face and overcome the challenges we are all witnessing.
