Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Sept. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

LJUBLJANA, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese and Slovenian diplomats have pledged to strengthen political ties and enhance economic cooperation during their talks here on Saturday.

During the talks with his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hailed the traditional friendship between the two countries, as China was one of the first countries to recognize Slovenia's independence more than 30 years ago.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the bilateral relationship, featuring equality, sincerity, trust and win-win despite their social and institutional differences, is particularly valuable amid the current complex and turbulent international landscape.

He called on the two countries to uphold the original aspiration, enhance communication, deepen mutual trust, bolster cooperation and continuously enrich the strategic connotation of the China-Slovenia partnership.

The "Taiwan independence" separatist forces are seeking to promote separatist activities, which is a challenge to the victory of World War II (WWII) and a disruption to the post-WWII international order, Wang said, voicing his trust that the Slovenian side will continue to abide by the one-China principle, support the Chinese people in opposing the "Taiwan independence" activities and consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations.

China is willing to enhance exchanges at all levels with Slovenia, expand cooperation in new fields such as high-end manufacturing, scientific and technological innovation, health and medicine, green energy and artificial intelligence, and provide a fair, open, and non-discriminatory business environment for enterprises of the two countries, Wang said.

Both sides should leverage their respective strengths, promote trade balance in an open spirit, and jointly support economic globalization, he noted. Wang called on Slovenia to play an active role in promoting the healthy and stable development of relations between China and the European Union (EU).

Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed the Global Governance Initiative, which upholds five key principles that align with the shared aspiration of the international community, Wang said. The initiative aims to reform and improve global governance, consolidate the authority and core position of the United Nations (UN), and has been widely welcomed and supported by the international community, he noted.

China is willing to enhance collaboration with Slovenia and other countries, uphold multilateralism, join hands to build a more just and equitable global governance system and jointly safeguard world peace and development, he added.

Fajon, also the deputy prime minister of Slovenia, said China is an important partner of Slovenia and the EU. She hailed the friendship, mutual trust, and growing bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.

Slovenia values its friendship with China and firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and looks forward to becoming a gateway for Chinese enterprises to enter Europe, Fajon said, expecting the two sides to expand two-way investment and broaden cooperation in new energy and other fields.

It is of vital importance for the EU and China to maintain positive and constructive dialogue and cooperation, she said, adding that Slovenia supports the stable development of EU-China relations.

Fajon said it is extremely necessary to reform and improve global governance, and Slovenia is willing to enhance solidarity and cooperation with China to jointly uphold multilateralism and the purposes of the UN Charter.

The two sides also exchanged views on global and regional issues such as the Ukraine crisis and the situation in the Middle East. ■