A subsection of a new highway in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), constructed by a consortium of Chinese and Azerbaijani companies, opened last September.The Pocitelj-Zvirovici subsection project, part of the pan-European Corridor Vc highway, features a dual carriageway with four lanes.
It spans approximately 11 kilometers, including the Hercegovina Bridge, which is almost one kilometer long.Once the project is entirely completed, it will become an economic artery for Central and Eastern Europe, significantly boosting the flow of people and goods.BiH-China relations set a model of friendly cooperation, said Zeljka Cvijanovic, chairwoman of the presidency of BiH, during a ceremony to receive the credentials of the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to BiH Li Fan in January.She emphasized BiH's commitment to strengthening political and economic ties with China, as well as enhancing exchanges in education, tourism, and culture. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and BiH.The two countries have always respected each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and carried out mutually beneficial friendly cooperation on the basis of equality.In recent years, China's Belt and Road Initiative has brought tangible benefits to BiH in areas of infrastructure construction and cultural exchanges.Chinese enterprises are actively developing critical infrastructure in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), including highways, railways, and power stations, while also completing key projects that directly impact daily life, such as urban rail transit, hospitals, and sewage treatment facilities.One notable project is the renovation of the Sarajevo tram line.
As the city's most iconic mode of transportation, the tram system had not undergone major upgrades for decades.
The recent renovation has significantly enhanced the city's image and transportation efficiency.In 2018, the visa exemption agreement between China and BiH for citizens holding ordinary passports officially came into effect.
It has provided important support for cultural exchanges, economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.According to the BiH's Agency for Statistics, the country received a total of 1.377 million foreign tourists in 2024.
Among them, Chinese tourists reached nearly 75,000, a year-on-year increase of 145 percent.Haris Fazlagic, president of the Tourist Board of Sarajevo Canton, attributed the rise to the visa-free policy between BiH and China.
Noting the growing number of Chinese tourists in Sarajevo and other major cities, he expects a similar trajectory in the coming years.