Xinjiang a vivid chapter of modernization

My connection with China goes beyond the official domain. It is rooted in the respect I have for the history, culture and global role of China.

Romania and China have had diplomatic relations for more than 75 years, which have strengthened the bond between the two countries. As president of the Romania-China Friendship Group in the Parliament of Romania, I know Sino-Romanian relations are not limited to diplomatic protocols; they also form a bridge of mutual trust, allowing the two sides to collaborate on various issues regardless of the geopolitical context.

For me, the bond with China has developed naturally, because I believe Romania must diversify its strategic partnership with China, including its key regions such as the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, to achieve substantial mutual benefit.

I have followed every statement and initiative of Chinese President Xi Jinping, especially because his "people-centric approach "to economic development is very close to my heart. As a matter of fact, I have promoted these initiatives while working with people from across the world. His Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative, along with his efforts and determination to help build a community with a shared future for humanity are ideas that deserve special attention. These initiatives demonstrate his long-term vision for a fairer, equitable and more representative world order.

For Romania, President Xi's vision is an opportunity to strengthen its position in the Black Sea region, as well as engage in strategic projects with China and the European Union. His vision of making the world a better place for all is the result of China's 5,000-year-old civilization. To understand the philosophy behind this vision, one has to have a good knowledge of China, for which one needs to visit China and interact with the Chinese people.

I have visited China multiple times, and each visit has helped me better understand the vast and populous country. While China's major cities boast state-of-the-art infrastructure, many rural areas are pre-servatories of tradition, and while cutting-edge technology blends smoothly with efficiency in factories, natural landscapes in Xinjiang and other regions seem to have been lifted out of another world. What has impressed me most is the way the Chinese central government is pursuing modernization while maintaining social stability and ethnic unity.

Moreover, beyond Western narratives, the reality of Xinjiang is that it's a region on the fast track of development, a region where communities benefit from growing investment in infrastructure, education and environmental protection.

What I wish to share with the Romanian people is the real image of China — the image of a modern, pragmatic and cooperative China. I've seen China turning challenges into opportunities, and fulfilling the responsibilities of a real partner of Romania and the European Union.

One incident that left a strong impression on me was meeting young Chinese people engaged in green technology and digitalization projects. Their enthusiasm and commitment to building a better future made me realize that Romania can greatly benefit from exchange of experiences and joint projects in these fields.

As an expert in diplomacy and foreign policy, I have, during my visits to China, learned experiences in vision and perspective, and better understood how to apply research results to industry, and efficiently implement government policies. Also, I am impressed by the way China has safeguarded and promoted ethnic languages and cultures, protected the environment and preserved biodiversity, and how it is shifting from fossil fuels to clean energy.

For Romania, this translates into clear opportunities which my country should seize — while the two sides should build upon their 75-year-old partnership by pursuing joint projects in green energy, environmental protection and education sectors.

China's relationship with Romania is based on mutual respect and win-win cooperation, a relationship that encourages both sides to jointly seek solutions to global problems. As president of the Romania-China Friendship Group in the Parliament of Romania, I strongly support the expansion of Sino-Romanian collaboration, because it is not only about trade and diplomatic exchanges, but also about investing in the shared future of the Chinese and Romanian peoples.

China and Romania, linked by friendship and collaboration, have the opportunity to prove that dialogue and cooperation can yield more tangible and lasting benefits.

The author is president of the Romania-China Friendship Group in the Parliament of Romania, and vice-chairperson of the Committee for Foreign Policy, Chamber of Deputies, Romanian Parliament.

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

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