Moldova eyes expanding cooperation with China

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Republic of Moldova's independence, offering an opportunity to reflect on the steady development of Moldova-China relations over the past three and a half decades and to look ahead with confidence to the next stage of the bilateral partnership, said the Moldovan ambassador to China.

Looking back on 35 years of independence, one of Moldova's major achievements has been its transformation from a predominantly agricultural economy into a more diversified and competitive one, Petru Frunze told China Daily.

Moldova is renowned for its wines, agricultural products and rich cultural heritage. Today, Moldovan wine is exported to more than 70 countries worldwide, with around 60 percent of exports destined for European markets. The wine industry accounts for about 3 percent of GDP and nearly 8 percent of the country's total exports, according to the National Office for Vine and Wine of the country.

"When people think about Moldova, one of the first things that comes to mind is our wine. Wine is an important part of our identity and culture, and Moldovan wines are already appreciated by many Chinese consumers and wine lovers. Our wine routes and underground wine cellars offer visitors a unique experience that combines tradition, history and hospitality," Frunze said.

"Agriculture remains one of our strongest advantages. Moldova is among the top 20 global exporters of plums, walnuts, cherries, apricots, rapeseed, apples and grapes. We are also among the top 20 wine exporters worldwide, and our country is home to the world's largest wine collection by the number of bottles, recognized by Guinness World Records," he said.

At the same time, through reforms, active economic diplomacy and mutually beneficial partnerships, Moldova has developed new strategic sectors, including automotive, electronics, agri-food processing, construction materials and textiles. "Today, Moldova is increasingly integrated into regional and global supply chains," he said.

Frunze said the country has been dedicated to enhancing international economic connectivity in recent years.

"Although Moldova has a population of only 3 million people, our free trade agreements provide access to a market of over 870 million consumers, including through agreements with the European Union's EFTA (European Free Trade Association) countries," he said.

Frunze took up his post in Beijing in March as Moldova's new ambassador to China. He said his arrival in China and firsthand experience of the country's rapid development had given him new perspectives and a deeper understanding of the nation.

"I greatly appreciate the way China combines modernization with the preservation of its rich historical and cultural heritage. For me, China represents a valuable example of how technology, cultural heritage and people-oriented development can come together to build modern, sustainable and livable cities," he said.

He noted that Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi's visit to Beijing in May marked an important milestone in the development of bilateral relations, during which the two sides held comprehensive discussions on expanding cooperation across a broad range of areas.

"The visit reaffirmed our shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and translated that commitment into a practical agenda for future cooperation," Frunze said.

It strengthened institutional dialogue, identified new areas for collaboration and created favorable conditions for further expanding economic ties, he added.

"Over the past three decades, our relationship has been built on mutual respect, friendship and constructive dialogue. Today, we have the opportunity to open a new chapter: one that is more dynamic, more practical and more result-oriented," he said.

"Nowadays, China is Moldova's second-largest trading partner, and we are confident that the complementarity between our two economies offers substantial opportunities to increase trade, attract new investment, and develop mutually beneficial projects in the years ahead," he said.

Moldova is pursuing closer integration with Europe, Frunze said, adding that the process could help strengthen cooperation and dialogue between China and the European Union.

"We believe that China and Europe are two major economic partners whose cooperation is important not only for their own development, but also for global stability and prosperity," he said.

European path

Frunze said that, as Moldova advances on its European path, closer integration with the EU and constructive relations with China are not contradictory. Moldova has consistently supported balanced, open and mutually beneficial cooperation with all its partners.

"Our role can be that of a bridge: promoting dialogue, economic cooperation and people-to-people connections. With our geographic position, European perspective and experience of cooperation with different regions, Moldova can contribute to creating more opportunities for understanding and practical partnerships between China and Europe," he said.

He is confident that the future of Moldova-China relations is very promising. The objective of both countries is to build a partnership that is practical, forward-looking and mutually beneficial.

"As ambassador, I will work actively to bring our institutions, businesses and peoples closer together and to help transform opportunities into concrete projects that create value for both Moldova and China," Frunze said.

Dai Yan contributed to this story.

liujianqiao@chinadaily.com.cn