A skier performs lion dance at the Krvavec Ski Resort in Slovenia to celebrate the Spring Festival, on Jan 14, 2023. Photo: Xinhua

As Slovenia's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon is paying an official visit to China from Tuesday to Sunday, the Slovenian-Chinese Business Council, part of the Slovenian business delegation that is accompanying the European country's senior official, said on Wednesday that it foresees enhanced cooperation, particularly in sectors related to sustainability and innovation.

"This marks the largest Slovenian business delegation to China, including Slovenia's largest exporters and companies from sectors like tourism, vehicles, logistics and pharmaceuticals. Despite Slovenia's modest size, we are confident in our ability to foster substantial cooperation with our Chinese counterparts, focusing on these key areas," Ziga Vavpotic, chairman of Slovenian-Chinese Business Council, said in an exclusive interview with the Global Times on Wednesday. 

China's remarkable economic development is undeniable and offers a valuable opportunity for collaboration, he said. The team will make stops in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, and they plan to visit major companies such as JD.com, BYD and Huawei, he revealed.

"Post-visit, we foresee enhanced cooperation particularly in sectors related to sustainability and innovation. Known as a 'green' country and central to Europe, Slovenia is ideally positioned to attract Chinese tourists and business investment. We are also keen on introducing more Slovenian companies and products to the Chinese market in the near future," Vavpotic noted.

Slovenia is also one of the partner countries under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework. In relation to the  achievements that the two sides reaped under the BRI, Vavpotic said that participation in the BRI has strengthened the friendship between Slovenia and China. 

"We are continuously exploring new opportunities within the BRI framework to enhance our bilateral relationship and mutual benefits," he noted.

Indeed, Slovenia plays a pivotal role in collaboration between China and Central and Eastern European countries through the Port of Koper, which serves as a crucial gateway for Chinese companies entering Europe. The delegation is a significant step toward tighter bonds and serves as a model for effective cooperation between China and other Central and Eastern European nations, Vavpotic noted.

Ziga Vavpotic, chairman of Slovenian-Chinese Business Council Photo: Courtesy of Ziga Vavpotic

Lin Jian, spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry, told a press conference that  China-Slovenia relations are growing with a sound momentum. The two countries have carried out high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, jointly supported deeper and more substantive cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries, and achieved fruitful outcomes in high-level exchanges, trade and investment, scientific and technological innovation, cultural and people-to-people exchanges and coordination on multilateral affairs.

This is the second visit to China by a national leader of Slovenia in five years. We believe that the visit will further consolidate political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation in various areas and galvanize joint efforts to promote world peace and development, Lin noted. 

"We also welcome Slovenia's business delegation, which will accompany the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. The business delegation's visit speaks to the high expectations of entrepreneurs from Slovenia and Europe for high-level mutually beneficial cooperation. I believe they will feel China's economic dynamism and growth momentum and see China's firm commitment to opening-up," Lin said.

China stands ready to work with Slovenia and take the visit as an opportunity to step up dialogue and communication, have closer exchanges at all levels and in all areas, and promote the sound and steady growth of China-Slovenia and China-EU relations, the spokesperson noted.