FERM 2025 | Romania–China Relations: A Strategic and Analytical Vision from the Perspective of the President of the Romania–China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nicolae Vasilescu

REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM MOLDOVA 2025

19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, July 9–13, 2025

Thematic Panel:

Moldova’s Positioning in the Romania–China Economic Partnership

Speaker:

Nicolae Vasilescu – President of the Romania–China Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Presentation Topic:

“Presentation of the Romania–China Chamber of Commerce and Industry / Statistical Data on Bilateral Trade between Romania and the People’s Republic of China”

During Panel 3 of the Regional Economic Forum Moldova 2025, dedicated to the topic “Moldova’s Positioning in the Romania–China Economic Partnership”, Nicolae Vasilescu, President of the Romania–China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, delivered a comprehensive and detailed speech, illustrating both the vast potential of this economic cooperation and the complexities currently defining bilateral relations.

His address was a plea for pragmatism, cooperation, and awareness of geopolitical realities, highlighting the essential role of the private sector and local administrations in strengthening this relationship.

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A Look Back: The Cultural and Historical Foundation of Romania–China Relations

Nicolae Vasilescu began by recalling a past rich in symbols and examples of successful collaboration between the two countries, which, in his view, should inspire the present and future:

“Our relationship with China has deep roots, dating back to the communist era, when Nicolae Ceaușescu established very strong ties with the People’s Republic of China, sometimes even negotiating geostrategic matters on China’s behalf.”

This historical context is amplified by unique cultural elements, such as:

“The first televisions the Chinese had access to were manufactured in Romania, and Romanian films were the first many generations of Chinese people ever watched, thus building an important cultural bridge between our peoples.”

Thus, Vasilescu highlighted not only the economic dimension of the partnership but also a cultural one, essential to understanding the depth of the bilateral relationship.

The Role of the Romania–China Chamber in the Broader Regional Context

His presentation went beyond Romania, extending the discussion to the Moldova region, focusing on cooperation with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine:

“We are pleased to have representatives from administrative units in Moldova and Ukraine, as we have strengthened relations through the Moldova–China Chambers of Commerce and Industry, achieving numerous joint projects, even amidst the difficult context of the war in Ukraine.”

This underscores the importance of a regional gravity center in Chișinău for foreign and trade policy, which could become a key vector in Ukraine’s post-conflict reconstruction process.

A Dynamic Economic Reality Despite Political Tensions

Although government relations have clearly declined in recent years, Vasilescu stressed that the business community has maintained and even expanded the partnership:

“In the past five years, bilateral business volume with China has continuously grown, reaching nearly six billion dollars, showing that the private sector is a real driver of cooperation, regardless of political context.”

He pointed out that this dynamic is driven not by the state, but by more than 13,000 Chinese companies and 11,000 joint ventures active in Romania:

“It is a private engine, not a state engine, and that is crucial for the stability and growth of commercial relations.”

“Our governmental attitude is hard to understand for them and harms our relationship”

One of Vasilescu’s strongest messages was an open criticism of how Romania handles its relationship with China at the governmental and diplomatic levels:

“China still sees us as one of its best friends in Central and Eastern Europe, but our governmental attitude is hard for them to understand and negatively impacts the relationship.”

To support this, he offered concrete examples:

• Scholarships for Chinese students are blocked, although 17 Chinese universities have Romanian language departments with over 400 students;

• China lifted visa requirements for Romanians, while Chinese citizens face visa processing times of up to three months in Bucharest;

• Romania sent a lower-ranking diplomat to Beijing, unlike other countries that heavily invest in their Chinese diplomatic missions.

He emphasized the gap between the potential of the relationship and how Romania prioritizes it:

“While the U.S. embassy in Beijing has over 1,200 staff and a 25-story building, Romania has significantly downgraded its diplomatic presence.”

Trade Balance Challenges: If Calculated Correctly, the Trade Balance Would Be More Favorable

From an economic standpoint, Vasilescu pointed out a key dysfunction:

“Many goods exported to China that are produced in Romania are counted as exports of other countries, such as Germany, because multinational companies report them to their headquarters.”

This distorts perceptions of Romania’s actual performance and impacts its commercial strategy:

“If we calculated properly, Romania’s exports to China would be about $3.5 billion, bringing the trade ratio closer to $6 to $3.5 billion.”

In comparison, Poland’s trade balance with China is much more imbalanced, highlighting Romania’s advantage.

Missed Opportunities and Lessons from Neighbors: The Shanghai Import Fair

Another important point raised by Vasilescu was Romania’s lack of active participation in major trade fairs in China:

“Romania has never had a national pavilion at the Shanghai Import Fair, a key event for export promotion, being represented only by a ministry director.”

Meanwhile, Moldova has stood out:

“Moldova, in its first year at the fair, was in pole position, and its wine ranks 14th in China – a major success for local producers.”

This reflects Moldova’s greater involvement and strategy in promoting its products on the Asian market.

Success Story: Aqua Carpatica and the Expansion of a Romanian Brand in China

To illustrate the potential of cooperation, Vasilescu highlighted a flagship example:

“Starting in 2025, the Romanian brand Aqua Carpatica will be distributed in China through Coca-Cola, under a €360 million contract.”

This is not only a major commercial achievement but also a significant image boost for Romania as a quality producer.

Romania–China Chamber of Commerce: An Indispensable Facilitator

With a solid structure, the Chamber led by Vasilescu acts as a genuine bridge between the two countries:

• It has over 600 member companies, more than half of which are Romanian;

• It has seven offices in major Chinese cities, facilitating market access and understanding;

• It organizes cultural and educational activities, such as a certified kindergarten in Chinese for the business community at Dragonul Roșu, cooking classes, and monthly Chinese film screenings.

Perspectives for the Moldova Region and Romania

Vasilescu emphasized that success in the Chinese market requires a deep understanding of local and regional realities in China:

“We don’t have a single partner across China; we must approach regional markets, where Romanian companies can be competitive.”

For the Moldova region, now gaining visibility in these economic circuits, the message is clear: there must be coordinated support from local administrations and the private sector to seize existing opportunities.

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Conclusions and Messages for Decision Makers

Nicolae Vasilescu’s speech was, essentially, a call for pragmatism and involvement:

• Government policy must align with economic and commercial realities;

• Diplomatic efforts must reflect China’s strategic importance;

• Active participation in major trade fairs and expos is essential for export growth;

• The private sector, supported by a flexible administrative infrastructure, can turn potential into real results.

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Nicolae Vasilescu offered a clear diagnosis and a strategic direction for Romania—and especially for the Moldova region—in its relationship with one of the world’s most dynamic markets. Coherent, concerted efforts can turn Romania–China relations into a solid pillar of both regional and national development.