Delegation of National Council on Official Visit in China

The delegation of the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia, under the leadership of the President of the National Council, Mr. Mitja Bervar, was on an official visit  in China from 15 June to 19 June 2015. The representatives of the National Council travelled to China after having been invited there by the President of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Mr. Yu Zhengsheng. In addition to the President of the National Council, Mr. Bervar, the delegation was composed of the Vice President of the National Council, Mr. Branko Šumenjak, the members of the National Council, Mrs. Bojana Potočan and Oskar Komac, the Secretary of the Commission for International Relations and European Affairs, Mrs. Lilijana Žurman, and the Head of Office of the President of the National Council, Mrs. Ariana Debeljak. The President of the National Council was received by two of the top six highest representatives of the Chinese authorities. In addition to the official meeting with the host, Mr. Yu Zhengsheng, he was also received by the President of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC; the Chinese Parliament), Mr. Zhang Djiang, and he also met the Vice-President of the Committee for Foreign Affairs of the Chinese National People's Congress, Mrs. Zhao Shaohua, who is also the Chairwoman of the Slovenia - China Friendship Group. The President of the National Council also met the President of CPPCC in Shanghai, Mr. Wu Zhiming, and the Vice-President of the CPPCC for the Jiangsu Province, Mr. Fan Yanqing, and the representatives of the Slovenian business community in China.

In Shanghai, the Slovenian delegation paid a visit to the Institute of Foreign Trade of the University of Shanghai and the Shanghai Electric Group Company in Linggang New City, and in Beijing, a visit was paid to China Railway Construction Corporation and the National Centre of Performing Arts.

The main topics discussed between the Chinese and Slovenian political representatives referred to the possibilities of cooperation in regard to infrastructure construction, investment activities, tourism, education and culture.

Among other subject matters, the host, Mr. Yu Zhengsheng pointed out that the role played by the National Council in Slovenia was highly appreciated in China. He expressed his belief that in spite of significant differences between the two countries, the visit would have many positive results. He was of the opinion that Slovenia, despite its small size, had an important role in bringing together the countries of the Central and South East Europe and China. He was also convinced that there was room for further enhancement of practical cooperation between the National Committee of CPPCC and the National Council of RS. The President of the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr. Mitja Bervar, drew attention to the long-lasting and excellent cooperation between the institutions and pointed out that Slovenia was faced with many challenges during global crisis, but economic growth had been recorded recently. The strategic position in the centre of Europe and the Port of Koper provide excellent opportunities for logistics in Slovenia.  Mr. Bervar agreed with the fact that opportunities for cooperation between the two countries were huge and expressed his hope for improving cooperation in the field of investments.

The Vice-President of the Committee for Foreign Affairs of the Chinese National People's Congress and the Chairwoman of the Slovenia-China Parliamentary Friendship Group, Mrs. Zhao Shaohua, also pointed out that, considering a comprehensive programme, the Slovenian delegation would be able to become thoroughly informed of the development of the modern China, and drew attention to numerous possibilities of cooperation in various fields.

The representatives of Slovenian companies, who met the National Council's delegation in Suzhou, expressed their satisfaction about the visit of the Slovenian representatives in China and welcomed the possibility of having met them. They presented business and legal frameworks of their operation in China, highlighting good cooperation both with the Slovenian consulate in Shanghai and the Embassy in Beijing. They were convinced that their work in Shanghai would be much easier if Slovenian Consulate issued visas for Slovenia, instead of having the Austrian Consulate had to issue the Schengen Visas for Slovenia, as it was currently in practice. The President, Mr. Bervar, promised, that, within competences conferred, the National Council will advocate for satisfying their request.

There has been a tradition of good and well-established relations between the National Council and CPPCC. The visit was very important for enhancing the bilateral cooperation and for maintaining political dialogue, mutual trust, further development of inter parliamentary cooperation and for strengthening economic and cultural cooperation. In light of the internal political regulation in the People's Republic of China, the National Council is an important entity for bringing together the two countries and it represents the added value for supporting the development of political and economic relations between the two countries.