China and Croatia are cooperating well, and the construction of the Peljesac Bridge, which involves a Chinese company, could further encourage economic cooperation, the Croatian President, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, and the Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Cao Jianming, said in Zagreb on Thursday.

One of the reasons for Cao’s visit was to discuss the implementation of the agreement Grabar-Kitarovic had reached with Chinese President Xi Jinping, concerning the promotion of economic cooperation and trade.

“Your visit to the People’s Republic of China has put a great wind in the sails of our relations,” Cao Jianming said.

Both officials said that the construction of the Peljesac bridge, for which the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) consortium signed the construction contract in April this year, was an important step in fostering the Croatian-Chinese relations, and for the European Union, the President’s Office said in a press release.

Vice Chairman Cao Jianming said that there was a notable rise in trade and mutual capital investments between the countries, as well as the number of Chinese tourists visiting Croatia.

The Croatian President said she hoped the construction of the Peljesac Bridge, the largest European infrastructure project which involves China, would attract Chinese investors to other infrastructure projects in Croatia and generate greater interest in using Croatian seaports as gateways for Chinese goods entering European markets.