Moldova

Note: This column mainly includes countries along the Belt and Road and countries that have signed cooperation agreements with China on Belt and Road Initiative.

In 2013, the relationship between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Moldova enjoyed sound and stable growth.

Political mutual trust between the two countries continued to deepen, with close exchanges in various sectors. In March, Moldovian President Nicolae Timofti sent a letter of congratulations to Xi Jinping on his election as Chinese president. Prime Minister Vladimir Filat sent a letter of congratulations to Li Keqiang on his election as Chinese premier. Parliament Speaker Marian Lupu sent congratulatory messages to Zhang Dejiang and Yu Zhengsheng on their election as NPC Chairman and CPPCC Chairman respectively. In June, President Timofti sent a letter of congratulations to President Xi Jinping on the successful Shenzhou-10 manned space flight. In the same month, Premier Li Keqiang sent a letter of congratulations to Iurie Leanca on his taking office as Moldovian prime minister, and NPC Chairman Zhang Dejiang sent a letter of congratulations to Iqor Corman on his taking office as Speaker of Parliament. From 11 to 17 August, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Andrian Candu led a Democratic Party delegation to China. China and Moldova supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and maintained communication and coordination in the UN and on other multilateral occasions. Moldova supported Chinese candidates in running for posts in a number of international organizations.

Pragmatic cooperation between the two countries expanded. The two sides conducted active cooperation in infrastructure development, telecom, wine trade and other sectors and had multiple in-depth discussions and exchanges on strengthening business ties and agricultural cooperation. From 27 to 30 July, Vice Minister of Agriculture Niu Dun visited Moldova. From 14 to 15 November, Vice Minister of Commerce Jiang Zengwei visited Moldova and attended the Sixth Meeting of the China-Moldova Intergovernmental Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation. From 5 to 10 September, First Deputy Minister of Agriculture Viorel Gutsu visited China. From 11 to 13 September, Vice Minister of Agriculture Ion Sulla attended the Agro-trade and Economic Cooperation Forum between China and Central and Eastern European Countries in China.

People-to-people and cultural exchanges were close. In July, a delegation of Moldovian journalists visited China. In October, China and Moldova held the second round of consultation on consular affairs, during which the two sides reached agreement on further promoting mutual visits and cooperation between their nationals. In November, the Beautiful China photo exhibition was held in Moldova. On 1 June 2013, the Hong Kong SAR started to grant visa exemption treatment to diplomatic and service passport holders of Moldova.