Montenegro and China have significant potential for collaboration in various fields under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with a broad development perspective, stated Lu Fangqing, the Acting Chargé d’Affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Montenegro.
In her authored article titled “High-Quality Joint Construction of the Belt and Road Initiative is the Right Path for Humanity,” Lu emphasized that China’s companies are global leaders in areas such as highway construction, high-speed railways, new energy production, and electric vehicles, and are keen to collaborate with Montenegro in these sectors.
She added that China is willing to continue fostering investment cooperation with Montenegro based on mutual benefit, helping Montenegro fully leverage regional advantages, strengthen connectivity, and become a hub linking the entire Western Balkans.
“China will adhere to the principles of extensive consultations, joint contributions, and shared benefits, promote compatibility between the Belt and Road Initiative and Montenegro’s development strategy, and follow the concepts of openness, green and clean bilateral cooperation. We aim to uphold high standards, ensure sustainability, and contribute to the well-being of the Montenegrin people,” said Lu.
She further highlighted China’s commitment to deepening the “heart-to-heart” bond between the two nations, supporting civil exchanges, and fostering cooperation in education, science, technology, and culture. China also intends to take more steps to facilitate exchanges between the people of both countries, renewing and refreshing their longstanding friendship.
“In today’s world, global development faces many challenges. However, we have always believed that the historical trend of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit is unstoppable. The joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative aligns with the logic of progress and leads the world in the right direction,” Lu stated.
She reaffirmed China’s willingness to work with Montenegro to expand the Belt and Road Initiative’s “sunshine avenue” in the future.
Lu reminded that Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013, aiming to revive the spirit and values of the ancient Silk Road and inject new momentum into global economic growth and development. The initiative has created a new platform for international economic cooperation, generating new opportunities for countries around the world.
“High-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road continues to progress, delivering tangible results. Over the past 11 years since the initiative’s launch, the integration of land, sea, air, and network connections has steadily advanced, optimizing resource allocation and improving economic efficiency, laying a solid foundation for economic growth and enhancing people’s livelihoods,” Lu noted.
She pointed out that China’s freight trains now connect Europe and Asia, with 86 operational routes that reach over 200 cities in 25 European countries. Additionally, the annual cargo throughput at Greece’s Port of Piraeus has exceeded five million TEUs, making it the fourth-largest container port in Europe and the leading Mediterranean container port. China and Montenegro signed a memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative in 2017.
Lu also highlighted the successful completion and operation of the priority section of the Bar-Boljare highway in July 2022, which has become a significant symbol of China-Montenegro cooperation under the BRI. Since its opening, over 6.19 million vehicles have safely passed through, improving transport comfort and connectivity between the northern and southern parts of Montenegro. Currently, Chinese companies are involved in the reconstruction and expansion of the M2 highway from Jaz to Tivat, which is expected to improve transportation conditions between key tourist destinations and boost the tourism industry.
“High-quality collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative strives for outcomes that benefit all, with the message that we can achieve more together than walking alone,” said Lu.
Over the past 11 years, the BRI’s cooperation has expanded from the Eurasian continent to Africa and South America. More than 30 international organizations have signed over 200 cooperation documents related to the initiative.
Lu also mentioned the establishment of over 50 joint Belt and Road laboratories in fields such as agriculture, new energy, and healthcare, benefiting many countries. China has promoted over 1,500 agricultural technologies and trained more than 3,000 managers, experts, and scientists from over 120 countries, helping to reduce rural poverty in Asia, Africa, South Pacific, South America, and the Caribbean.
According to a report by the World Bank, the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative will lift 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million people out of moderate poverty by 2030, and increase global income by 0.7% to 2.9%.
Lu concluded by recalling the ancient Silk Road, which was a vital trade and cultural exchange route between Eastern and Western civilizations. She emphasized that the Silk Road’s legacy is not defined by war and conflict, but by the peaceful exchange of goods and goodwill between peoples.
“The ancient Silk Road is known not for war chariots and spears, nor for warships and cannons, but for camel caravans and friendship,” Lu stated.
