Statement by the President of CAPDR, Ion ȘTEFANOVICI, on respect for the principle of “One China” and the protection of the Romania–People’s Republic of China relationship
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I have taken note of the statement of the spokesperson of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Romania regarding the Taiwan issue and consider it necessary to express a clear, responsible position consistent with Romania’s strategic interest
In my capacity as President of the Center for Regional Development Analysis and Planning – CAPDR, I reaffirm respect for Romania’s official policy regarding the principle of “One China”, a principle which represents the political foundation of diplomatic relations between Romania and the People’s Republic of China.
Romania and the People’s Republic of China have built, over decades, a relationship based on mutual respect, diplomatic predictability, and cooperation. This relationship must be protected with maturity, especially in an international context marked by tensions, strategic competition, and major geopolitical repositioning.
From this perspective, I consider that any public action by a Romanian official on sensitive foreign policy issues must be aligned with the official line of the Romanian state and with the commitments assumed by Romania in its bilateral relations. Foreign policy requires rigor, responsibility, and an understanding of the effects that a public position may have on national interests.
This position is not a conjunctural one. In 2025, CAPDR participated in the China–CEEC Format proceedings, where I publicly supported the need for Romania to actively re-engage in economic cooperation with the People’s Republic of China.
In the analysis published by CAPDR under the title “Central and Eastern Europe, our bridge to China. Romania must get back in the game”, I argued that the China–CEEC Format may represent for Romania, including for the Moldavia Region, a useful framework for economic, investment, and institutional reconnection with the Chinese space.
From this perspective, CAPDR considers that respect for the “One China” principle is not merely a diplomatic formula, but a condition of seriousness, predictability, and continuity in the Romania–People’s Republic of China relationship.
CAPDR supports the development of a solid, applied Romania–China relationship oriented toward concrete results: investments, foreign trade, infrastructure, education, research, technology, tourism, cultural exchanges, and cooperation between local administrations, the business environment, and academic institutions.
For the Moldavia Region, the relationship with the People’s Republic of China may represent an important opportunity in areas such as infrastructure, industrial production, agriculture, tourism, education, cultural exchanges, and access to international markets. For this reason, this relationship must be treated with seriousness, continuity, and respect for the principles that underpin it.
Romania needs lucid economic diplomacy, stable external partnerships, and the capacity to translate international dialogue into concrete projects for the economy, administration, and local communities.
The “One China” principle must be respected not only declaratively, but also through public conduct, institutional action, and the responsibility of those who represent Romania in the public space.
On behalf of CAPDR, I reaffirm our willingness to contribute to the strengthening of the Romania–People’s Republic of China relationship, in a spirit of mutual respect, economic cooperation, and regional development.
Ion ȘTEFANOVICI,
President of the Center for Regional Development Analysis and Planning – CAPDR
