Petru Frunze
Moldova’s Ambassador to China, Petru Frunze, made this statement in an interview with China Daily.
Looking back on 35 years of independence, one of Moldova’s main achievements has been the transformation of its economy from a predominantly agricultural one to a more diversified and competitive one, said Petru Frunze.
Moldova is renowned for its wines, agricultural products, and rich cultural heritage. Today, Moldovan wine is exported to more than 70 countries worldwide, with about 60% of exports going to European markets. According to the country’s National Office of Viticulture and Winemaking, the wine industry accounts for about 3% of GDP and nearly 8% of the country’s total exports.
“When people think of Moldova, one of the first things that comes to mind is our wine. Wine is an important part of our identity and culture, and Moldovan wines are already highly regarded by many Chinese consumers and wine enthusiasts. Our wine routes and underground wine cellars offer visitors a unique experience that combines tradition, history, and hospitality,” said Frunze.
Not Just Wine
“Agriculture remains one of our main strengths. Moldova ranks among the world’s top 20 exporters of plums, walnuts, sweet cherries, apricots, rapeseed, apples, and grapes. We are also among the world’s top 20 wine exporters, and our country is home to the world’s largest wine collection by number of bottles, as recognized by the Guinness World Records,” he said.
At the same time, thanks to reforms, active economic diplomacy, and mutually beneficial partnerships, Moldova has developed new strategic sectors, including the automotive industry, electronics, agri-food processing, construction materials, and textiles. “Today, Moldova is becoming increasingly integrated into regional and global supply chains,” he said.
Frunze noted that in recent years, the country has placed great emphasis on strengthening international economic ties.
“Although Moldova’s population is only 3 million, our free trade agreements provide access to a market of more than 870 million consumers, including through agreements with EFTA (European Free Trade Association) countries,” he said.
Popșoi’s visit gave a boost to the development of relations
The ambassador noted that the visit by Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popșoi to Beijing in May marked an important milestone in the development of bilateral relations, during which the parties held comprehensive discussions on expanding cooperation across a wide range of areas.
“The visit reaffirmed our shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and translated that commitment into a practical agenda for future cooperation,” said Frunze.
It strengthened institutional dialogue, identified new areas of cooperation, and created favorable conditions for the further expansion of economic ties, he added.
“Over the past three decades, our relations have been built on mutual respect, friendship, and constructive dialogue. Today, we have the opportunity to open a new chapter: one that is more dynamic, more practical, and more results-oriented,” said Petr Frunze.
China Plus Europe
“China is currently Moldova’s second-largest trading partner, and we are confident that the complementarity of our two economies opens up significant opportunities to increase trade, attract new investments, and develop mutually beneficial projects in the coming years,” he said.
Moldova is striving for closer integration with Europe, Frunze noted, adding that this process could help strengthen cooperation and dialogue between China and the European Union.
“We believe that China and Europe are two major economic partners whose cooperation is important not only for their own development but also for global stability and prosperity,” the ambassador said.
Frunze stated that as Moldova advances along its European path, closer integration with the EU and constructive relations with China are not mutually exclusive. Moldova consistently supports balanced, open, and mutually beneficial cooperation with all its partners.
“Our role may be to serve as a bridge: to promote dialogue, economic cooperation, and people-to-people ties. Thanks to our geographical location, European perspective, and experience in cooperating with various regions, Moldova can contribute to creating more opportunities for mutual understanding and practical partnership between China and Europe,” he said.
He is confident that the future of Moldovan-Chinese relations is very promising. The goal of both countries is to build a practical, forward-looking, and mutually beneficial partnership.
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