The President of the Dubrovnik City Council, Marko Potrebica, and the Chair of the Committee for International Cooperation, Katarina Doršner, visited China at the invitation of Dubrovnik’s sister city, Sanya.

The visit included participation in the international conference “China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024” held in Kunming. This event brought together over 700 delegates from 125 cities across 41 countries, reaffirming its role as a pivotal platform for strengthening international friendships. Organized biennially under the patronage of the Chinese government, the conference aims to establish and deepen cooperation between Chinese and global cities.

In Sanya, the Dubrovnik delegation was welcomed by Mayor Chen Xi and his associates. During the official reception, the Chinese hosts expressed particular interest in Dubrovnik's expertise and experience in the restoration and preservation of historical and cultural heritage, as well as its model for sustainable tourism management.

Sanya, located in Hainan Province, is recognized as a prominent tourist destination, attracting an impressive 19 million visitors annually, primarily from the domestic Chinese market. This vast market presents exceptional opportunities for promoting Croatian local products, further strengthening economic ties between the cities. During a visit to Hainan Tropical Ocean University, discussions were held on the potential for future student exchanges, fostering academic collaboration between Dubrovnik and Sanya.

To recall, Sanya and Dubrovnik signed a cooperation protocol back in 2013. This year, an addendum to the memorandum of friendship was signed, ensuring the continuation of successful collaboration and the intensification of relations. The focus will be on institutional exchange, culture, arts, historical core preservation, and investment promotion, opening new opportunities for mutually beneficial projects.