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SARAJEVO, February 10 (FENA) – The Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Li Fan, warns that global turmoil has intensified beyond expectations this year and that events known as 'black swans' and 'gray rhinos' are occurring almost continuously.
''All countries are thinking about how to adapt to major changes and great chaos. Some states are using economic interdependence as a weapon and are readily resorting to force against sovereign countries, which is essentially an attempt to return the world to the law of the jungle,'' Ambassador Li Fan said in an interview with FENA.
Faced with challenges and crises, she notes, political leaders of many countries are calling for adherence to the principles of sovereignty and international law, seeking strategic autonomy in order to free themselves from dependence and promote diversification of their foreign policies.
''In this context, many countries are turning their gaze to the East, expecting China to play a greater role. There are also states that fear that either joint governance by China and the United States, or a conflict between them, could bring catastrophic consequences to the world. I want to reiterate: the more unstable the global situation is, the more China must be a force for stability; the more unpredictable the international order becomes, the more China must be a predictable partner; the greater the resistance economic globalization faces, the more strongly China must promote the development of digital and green globalization,'' the Chinese Ambassador emphasized.
She states that President Xi Jinping's global governance initiative emphasizes equality among states, respect for international law, and multilateral cooperation, with a strong focus on concrete action and people's well-being. According to this approach, as Li Fan said, all countries should have an equal right to participate in global governance, decision-making, and the distribution of benefits, regardless of their size, power, or wealth.
''It is necessary to ensure equal and consistent application of international law and rules, without double standards. The status and authority of the United Nations must be firmly safeguarded and enabled to truly play their irreplaceable role in global governance,'' she stressed, adding that China is ready to work with all parties to establish an equal and orderly multipolar world, as well as inclusive economic globalization from which all can benefit.
Responding to a question about the future of China–Europe relations, Ambassador Li Fan emphasized that the discussion must be conducted through several key dilemmas, underscoring that China is, above all, a partner, not a threat, to European countries.
According to her, there are no fundamental conflicts of interest or geopolitical antagonisms between China and Europe, and both sides share similar views on sovereign equality, multilateralism, the international rule of law, and the green transition.
''The interests of both sides are deeply intertwined; we are important trading partners. China's imports and exports with the EU reached 5.93 trillion yuan in 2025, representing a 6 percent increase and accounting for 13 percent of China’s total foreign trade. The facts prove that China is Europe’s partner, not its adversary,'' she added.
Speaking about the differences that exist between China and European countries, she stressed that they should not be resolved through confrontation but through dialogue. Different historical, cultural, and social models, she said, are natural, but must not be obstacles to cooperation.
Referring to a Chinese proverb ''seek common ground while setting aside differences'' Li Fan noted that recent visits by European leaders to China and the agreements reached, including an agreement on the export of electric vehicles, have shown that such an approach is both possible and effective.
In the context of a multipolar world, Li Fan emphasized that Europe can have real strength only if it is independent and united, and she recalled that China consistently supports European integration and the EU’s strategic autonomy.
According to her, global challenges, from the war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza to climate change and the development of artificial intelligence, cannot be resolved unilaterally.
The Ambassador emphasized that China and Bosnia and Herzegovina have built stable and positive bilateral relations over the past 30 years and expressed confidence that cooperation in the coming period will be even more successful. She highlighted three points.
''First, to consistently adhere to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. China respects the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and insists on equal treatment of all states, regardless of their size. China hopes that Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to firmly support the One-China policy and support the positions and requests of the Chinese side regarding Taiwan, Xinjiang, and other issues of fundamental importance,'' she stressed.
As she added, friendly cooperation between China and Bosnia and Herzegovina has strong internal driving forces and should not be influenced by anyone nor interfered with by third parties.
''We believe that the process of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European integration and cooperation between China and Bosnia and Herzegovina can develop in parallel and in harmony,'' she said.
The second direction relates to expanding mutually beneficial cooperation. Li Fan recalled that significant results have already been achieved in trade, infrastructure, and energy, and emphasized China's readiness to further expand cooperation into scientific and technological innovation, especially in the field of artificial intelligence.
As she noted, the existence of AI centers at universities in both countries opens space for joint projects that can help young people realize their ambitions.
''Third, to continuously strengthen the foundations of people-to-people and cultural exchanges. China and Bosnia and Herzegovina are multicultural countries. We are actively considering measures such as sending a greater number of delegations, enriching training programs, and establishing a 'Chinese Ambassador's Scholarship' to further enhance exchanges and cooperation in various fields and deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries, especially among young people from Generation Z,'' Ambassador Li Fan concluded in her interview with FENA.
(FENA) A. B.
