A Croatian delegation led by the Minister for Maritime Affairs, Transport, and Infrastructure, has returned from China pleased with the strong interest Chinese companies have shown for big infrastructure projects in Croatia, local daily Vecernji list reported on Tuesday.

　　The daily wrote that China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO) is interested to bid for the concession of the new containers' terminal in Port of Rijeka in the northern Adriatic. Chinese investors are also interested in building a stretch of railway that would connect Rijeka with Hungarian border.

　　Minister Oleg Butkovic, along with executives from state-owned railway company HZ Infrastruktura, the road management company Hrvatske Ceste, and the Rijeka port operator spent a week in China where they met Chinese Transport Minister and representatives of Chinese companies. Among other things, the ministers discussed on the possible launch of direct flights between Zagreb and Beijing.

　　In July 2018, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) started the construction of the Peljesac Bridge, one of the most important infrastructure projects in Croatian history that will connect the southern Peljesac peninsula to the mainland. The Chinese company offered the best bid among three companies that were competing for the project and was awarded to build the bridge.

　　Vecernji list reported that the Croatian delegation returned home with the impression that CRBC's success has inspired other Chinese companies to invest in the country and bid at open competitions.

　　In a press release last week, the Ministry for Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure said the Minister's visit to China marked the continuation of the process of strengthening relations between the two countries, as well as preparing for this year's summit between China and 16 Eastern and Central European countries to be hosted by Croatia.