China and Croatia Launch Seventh Joint Police Patrol
China and Croatia officially launched the seventh iteration of their joint police patrol program on July 15, 2026, at a ceremony held at the Chinese Embassy in Zagreb. Eight Chinese police officers from eight different provincial-level regions across China will serve alongside their Croatian counterparts for a one-month mission covering four popular tourist destinations, according to Xinhua News Agency.
A Growing Partnership in Law Enforcement
The joint patrol program, which began in 2018, is part of Croatia’s “Safe Tourist Destinations” project and has become a stable and mature bilateral law enforcement cooperation mechanism. Over the course of seven missions, China has deployed a total of 54 police officers to Croatia. The program was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic but has since resumed and continues to expand.
This year’s patrol runs from July 13 to August 13, 2026, covering the peak summer tourist season. The Chinese officers — drawn from Hunan, Shaanxi, Jiangsu, Guangdong, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, and Beijing — will be mixed with Croatian police teams to conduct joint patrols in Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Zadar, and Dubrovnik, all of which are major destinations for Chinese tourists visiting Croatia.
Ceremony and Official Remarks
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Croatia Qi Qianjin expressed confidence in the mission, stating that the officers would “work closely with their Croatian counterparts, perform their duties diligently, serve with enthusiasm, and win the welcome and recognition of Croatian citizens and tourists from all countries,” as reported by China Daily.
Croatian State Secretary of the Interior Irena Petrijevčanin welcomed the Chinese officers and expressed her expectation that the cooperation between the two police forces would make positive contributions to maintaining security in Croatia, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.
Zhao Xuan, captain of the seventh joint patrol team, pledged that the Chinese team would strictly abide by Croatian laws and regulations, respect local customs, and actively assist in responding to the security needs of Chinese citizens and international tourists.
Broader Diplomatic Context
The 2026 patrol coincides with the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, a milestone that was also celebrated during the ceremony. Former Croatian President Stjepan Mesić attended the event, underscoring the political significance of the bilateral relationship.
An official from the Ministry of Public Security’s international cooperation department noted that the Chinese team would actively implement the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative while upholding the principles of cooperation, innovation, the rule of law, and mutual benefit. The patrol is also expected to further deepen law enforcement and security cooperation between China and Croatia and contribute to the development of bilateral relations.
Impact on Tourism and Travel Experience
Croatia has become an increasingly popular destination for Chinese tourists, particularly during the summer season. The joint patrol program is designed to provide visible security assistance, helping Chinese travelers feel safer and better supported while abroad. Ambassador Qi noted that the program has effectively improved the travel experience of Chinese tourists in Croatia.
The patrols also serve a practical law enforcement function, with Chinese officers assisting Croatian police in addressing the security concerns of Chinese tourists and overseas Chinese residents in Croatia. Previous joint patrol missions were completed safely and smoothly, achieving positive results and helping establish a stable bilateral law enforcement cooperation framework.
Looking Ahead
The institutionalization of the China-Croatia joint police patrol — now in its seventh year — reflects the deepening of bilateral ties between the two countries, which established diplomatic relations in 1992. Relations have strengthened through China’s Belt and Road Initiative and cooperation within the China-CEEC (Central and Eastern European Countries) framework.
As the program continues to mature, it may serve as a model for similar Chinese police patrol initiatives in other countries popular among Chinese tourists. For now, the eighth iteration of the patrol will likely be anticipated next summer, as both nations continue to build on this unique law enforcement partnership.