NEWS
Slovenian Prime Minister on working visit to People's Republic of China
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, today started his working visit to the People's Republic of China by meeting the Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, Wu Bangguo. Mr Pahor and Mr Bangguo assessed the relations between the two countries as very good and friendly. The Chinese representative commended Slovenia and described it as a credible partner, which had increased its visibility among Chinese policy-makers and the general public. Moreover, he expressed his hope that the visit would contribute to the enhancement of economic cooperation.
Prime Minister Pahor praised the efforts and determination of the Chinese leadership regarding economic reforms, which in the last two decades had changed China into a global economic superpower, currently representing a major driving force in overcoming a worldwide economic recession. Slovenia wishes to increase the scope of economic cooperation, an ambition supported by both sides. There are several cooperation opportunities, including the investments of the Slovenian corporate sector in China and, vice versa, of Chinese companies in Slovenia. At the close of the meeting with Mr Bangguo, the Slovenian Prime Minister highlighted the importance and the role of China in addressing major global political issues.
Later in his visit, Mr Pahor met with his host, the Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Wen Jiabao. Their talks mainly focused on enhancing economic cooperation and political dialogue. The Chinese Prime Minister described Slovenia as a friendly country, whose relations with China are characterised by common interests. According to Mr Wen Jiabao, this visit can be considered highly important also due to a sizeable business delegation accompanying the Slovenian Prime Minister. This only reconfirms a very high level of bilateral relations. The Slovenian Prime Minister highlighted China's importance in the global economy. According to Mr Pahor there is an opportunity that the two countries forge even closer ties, as it is Slovenia's wish to have a solid and reliable friend in this part of the world. "The Chinese side expressed its interest in Slovenia's transport infrastructure, particularly in the railways in combination with the Port of Koper, and regarding a share in a potential logistic centre", said Prime Minister Pahor. To this effect, the Chinese are willing to invest in the modernization of the Slovenian railways, while also being interested in investing in tourism and the banking sector. "There is no doubt that China's ambitions to allocate its investments are great and that its capacity to do so is unquestionable. However, the more important question that requires clarification is to what extent and in which areas Slovenia should try to attract Chinese capital," pointed out Mr Pahor. Chinese Prime Minister Jiabao expressed his understanding for Slovenia’s wish to attract capital, which would consider Slovenia as both, a long-term profitable investment and a bridge for Chinese investments in the EU countries or countries, with which, also not yet being EU Member States, Slovenia has good relations.
Following the two meetings, the Slovenian Prime Minister left to visit Shanghai. There he joined the Slovenian Ministers Križanič and Svetlik and the business delegation at the reception organised for businessmen and Slovenians living in Shanghai, and addressed the participants assembled for this occasion. In a brief address, Mr Pahor said that he was satisfied with the current course of his visit to China. Last year, China was the only country to record economic growth and continues to do so also this year. "My wish upon arriving to Beijing was to consolidate political friendship, which is a highly important factor of economic cooperation. I think we have succeeded", pointed out Mr Pahor in view of the fact that China intends to enhance bilateral economic cooperation.
Tomorrow, Prime Minister Pahor will continue his visit in Shanghai where he will also meet with the Mayor, Han Zheng. Then, Mr Pahor will attend the opening of the consulate of the Republic of Slovenia in Shanghai and conclude his stay by visiting EXPO 2010.