(Author's text by Ambassador Chen Xiufeng)
Political trust and economic and trade cooperation are continuously deepening. A number of major projects and concrete results have been successfully implemented, laying a solid foundation for a better and longer-term development of bilateral relations, bringing concrete benefits and greater prosperity to the peoples of both countries.
We need to consolidate the foundation of bilateral cooperation through mutual cooperation.
China has always advocated equality for all countries, regardless of their size, strength or level of development, and for common prosperity through mutually beneficial cooperation. China has been Montenegro's second largest trading partner for years, while trade in goods has recorded double-digit growth and reached new records. Montenegrin quality agricultural products and bauxite are increasingly finding their way to the Chinese market, while Chinese electric vehicles, smartphones and home appliances are widely accepted among Montenegrin consumers. Deepening two-way exchanges and expanding business opportunities contribute to the growth of business cooperation and the continuous improvement of citizens' living standards.
We need to find new development opportunities through strengthening connections.
The high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative has built an important platform for infrastructure cooperation between the two countries. The priority section of the Bar-Boljare highway has recorded nearly ten million vehicle journeys since its commissioning, significantly shortening travel times and increasing traffic safety. In February this year, a contract was signed for the design and construction of the second section of the highway, which will further connect the north and south of the country and encourage balanced regional development. At the same time, work on the Tivat-Jaz Boulevard is progressing according to plan, which will significantly increase traffic capacity on the coast. With the improvement of the road network, connectivity between cities in Montenegro, as well as with neighboring countries, is becoming more efficient, while the freer flow of people and goods is transforming development potential into concrete economic benefits.
We need to pave the way for a coordinated transition through a green transition.
In China, the concept that “green mountains and clear waters are real wealth” is deeply rooted, while Montenegro is an ecological state according to its Constitution. The joint commitment to sustainable development has brought fruitful results in the field of green energy. Since its commissioning, the Možura wind farm has continuously provided clean energy and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by about 3,000 tons annually. The ecological reconstruction of the Pljevlja thermal power plant is soon to be completed, which will reduce emissions
pollutants will be significantly reduced and energy efficiency increased, ensuring cleaner and more efficient operation. The parallel development of new energy projects and the ecological modernization of traditional energy sources provide strong support for energy security and emission reduction, becoming a new driver of sustainable cooperation between the two countries.
We need to build bridges between people through cultural and tourist connections.
Friendship between countries is based on the closeness of their peoples. China and Montenegro cherish a deep traditional friendship. The Yugoslav film "The Bridge" is known to generations of Chinese viewers, and the Bridge on the Đurđević Tara River has remained a common memory. The reconstruction project of the bridge on the Tara River, which, with the support of the Chinese government, has not only breathed new life into this historical building, but has additionally strengthened the long-standing friendship of our peoples. On Chinese social networks, Montenegro is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination – in 2025, the number of Chinese tourists exceeded 80,000, with a growth of almost 30 percent. China's visa-free policy for Montenegrin citizens further facilitates travel and business contacts. Increasingly frequent exchanges and deeper emotional ties lay a strong social foundation for further cooperation.
With the hearts of the people connected, neither mountains nor seas are obstacles, while common goals bring mutual progress. This year marks the beginning of a new development cycle for China under the Fifteenth Five-Year Plan. China will continue to deepen the Global Development Initiative, maintain a high level of openness and
shares modernization opportunities with all partners. Looking ahead, China is ready to work with Montenegro, in the spirit of joint planning, construction and benefit-sharing, to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, green energy, digital economy and innovation, transforming political trust into more concrete results and jointly writing a new chapter of mutual benefit and common progress.
