China calls for efforts to achieve political stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina

China

China calls for efforts to achieve political stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina

2026-05-13 17:37 Last Updated At：05-14 12:52

A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for efforts to achieve political stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) as soon as possible.

For some time, the political situation in BiH has remained volatile. Constant disputes between different ethnic groups and political parties have severely affected the country's internal stability and economic development agenda, said Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

It is important to achieve political stability as soon as possible, he told the Security Council.

Sun noted that BiH will hold general elections this year, which will determine the trajectory of both the country and the wider Balkan region for the foreseeable future.

China hopes that the country's two political entities, three constituent peoples and all political parties will maintain calm and restraint, show mutual tolerance, and foster a stable and enabling political atmosphere to ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the elections, Sun said.

Over the past few years, against the backdrop of political unrest, BiH has been confronted with severe challenges, including slow economic growth, escalating inflation and labor outflow, the envoy said. China hopes that all parties will prioritize the interests of the entire population, forge synergy in governance, and create a favorable environment for rapid economic development and for the people to live secure and happy lives.

China also calls for increased international support and assistance to help the country expand investment cooperation in areas that secure people's livelihoods, thereby advancing implementation of the sustainable development agenda, he added.

Sun said that China's position on the issue of BiH is consistent and clear. China respects BiH's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, as well as the independent choice of its people regarding the country's future. China remains committed to developing friendly relations with all ethnic groups in BiH, supporting its ethnic reconciliation process, and playing a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability in the country and tranquility in the wider region, he said.

China records ten consecutive quarters of trade growth with ASEAN

China has recorded ten consecutive quarters of growth in imports and exports with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the data for the second quarter of this year from the General Administration of Customs GAC) showed on Tuesday.

China's trade with ASEAN reached 4.34 trillion yuan (about 640 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2026, marking an 18.2-percent increase compared to the same period of last year, according to GAC.

"In the first half of this year, China's imports and exports with ASEAN stood at 4.34 trillion yuan, up 18.2 percent year on year on. Of this total, imports and exports in the second quarter accounted for 2.37 trillion yuan which represented a year-on-year growth of 20.2 percent and marking the 10th consecutive quarter of growth.," said Lyu Daliang, a spokesman for the customs bureau, at a press briefing.

"China and ASEAN have continuously strengthened infrastructure connectivity. In the first half of the year, China's imports and exports with ASEAN via the new western land-sea corridor grew by 18.2 percent, with railway and highway transport increasing by 24.7 percent and 17.5 percent, respectively," Lyu said.

Established in 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor-Leste.