The People's Republic of China and the Republic of Croatia established diplomatic relations on May 13, 1992. The two countries established the comprehensive cooperative partnership in 2005.

From 2012 to 2019, the leaders of the two countries held multiple bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Meetings of Heads of Government of China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC), as well as the China International Import Expo. In February 2021, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković attended the China-CEEC Summit hosted by President Xi Jinping via video link. In May 2022, President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with Croatian President Zoran Milanović to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. In September 2023, Li Hongzhong, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the National People’s Congress, paid a visit to Croatia. In 2024, Wang Yong, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, paid a visit to Croatia in January. Special Representative of the Chinese Government on European Affairs Wu Hongbo visited Croatia and participated in Dubrovnik Forum in June. Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Željko Reiner visited China in September. 

The two governments have established the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation and the Intergovernmental Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation. The Memorandum of Understanding on Belt and Road cooperation, as well as a great many cooperation documents were signed between the two sides, whilst exchanges in various fields saw further progress. In 2023, China-Croatia bilateral trade volume totaled US$2.53 billion, with a year-on-year increase of 5.2%. By the end of 2023, China’s direct investment into Croatia came to US$250 million, while Croatia’s direct investment into China reached US$12.44 million. The Pelješac Bridge, constructed by a Chinese consortium, opened in July 2022.

In 2019, the Croatian edition of the book: Stories told by President Xi Jinping was launched in Croatia. During that year, numerous activities were held as part of the China-Croatia Year of Culture and Tourism. In 2022, the Croatian edition of the book Classical Words Quoted by Xi Jinping was launched, and the 1st China Film Festival was held in Croatia. In 2023, the police forces of the two countries held in Croatia the 4th Tourist Season China-Croatia Joint Police Patrol, and the Chinese football team attended a training season in Croatia.

In the period of 2020-2021, China provided assistance to Croatia to combat COVID-19 and recover from earthquake.

Key Documents:

1. Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Croatia on Strengthening Their Relationship through Mutually Beneficial Cooperation (17 May 2002) 

2. Joint Statement on Establishing the Comprehensive Cooperation Partnership between the People’s Republic China and the Republic of Croatia  (26 May 2005) 

3. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Croatia on cooperation within the framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative (14 May 2017) 

4. Joint Statement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Croatia (10 April 2019) 

5. Dubrovnik Guidelines for Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (13 April 2019)