Chinese Police Officers Patrol Zagreb for the First Time
Eight Chinese police officers assist their compatriots in Croatia as part of the 'Safe Tourist Destination' project, and they are delighted by the relaxed lifestyle and hospitality.
Eight Chinese police officers assist their compatriots in Croatia as part of the 'Safe Tourist Destination' project, and they are delighted by the relaxed lifestyle and hospitality.
The 'Safe Tourist Destination' project, which the Ministry of the Interior has been running since 2006, has this season brought eight Chinese police officers to Zagreb, as well as to the Plitvice Lakes, Zadar, and Dubrovnik. Their task is to help Chinese tourists navigate and communicate with the Croatian police, and to serve as a bridge between the two services. For two of them, Chen Yue and Zhao Xuan, who are currently patrolling the capital, this is their first visit to Croatia and Europe.
Although they knew Croatia best for its football before arriving, it wasn't sport that won them over the most. Before the trip, Chen Yue's friends had given her a specific task: "Find Luka Modrić and get his autograph." Although she didn't manage to fulfill that wish, she discovered something else. "I'm glad that Croatia is my window into this part of the world, as this is also my first visit to Europe. I've been amazed by how connected people are to nature. Here, people enjoy life, they are authentic and present in the moment. In China, everything is much faster-paced, and we rarely take time to relax. I especially enjoy the sunsets," Chen told Večernji list.
Zhao Xuan, the leader of the group of eight Chinese police officers, also doesn't hide his enthusiasm. "I liked it so much that I've already decided to come back. In October, I'm returning with my family, this time as a tourist," he said. He also joked about the crowds on public transport: "They're still much smaller than in China."
Mislav Švigir, coordinator from the Prevention Service of the Zagreb Police Department, explains the challenges Chinese tourists most often face. "Chinese tourists generally don't have serious problems here; it's mostly about lost documents or pickpocketing," Švigir explains. Chen Yue adds that she was surprised to find that one of the most common issues tourists approached them about was setting up mobile internet. "Some buy a SIM card in China, some here, and they have trouble connecting. And what we constantly hear is that our compatriots feel safe and welcome in Zagreb. They also tell us that locals are always ready to help when they need something," she says.
The 'Safe Tourist Destination' project now brings together 20 countries, and this summer, 108 foreign police officers are staying in Croatia. Police officers from the People's Republic of China are in Croatia for the seventh time. Zhao Xuan emphasizes that they quickly became friends with their Croatian colleagues. "We're already good friends. Everyone in China adores Mislav. I feel that Croatia and China share a similar idea of how society should function. We've also noticed how proud Croatian police officers are of their job and how connected they are with citizens," he says.
Chen Yue also highlights a major difference in the work of the two police forces. "In China, we can't sit in a café in uniform or go to a place not related to work. We wear the uniform only during official activities. Also, due to the large population, the pace of work is much more intense, and there's almost no time for a break during a shift," she explains. Švigir adds that the Chinese officers quickly settle in each year. "They are warm, empathetic, and emotional. On the first day, they're a bit reserved, but after that, they completely relax. Every year, someone cries at the farewell, and I don't think this year will be any different," he says.
When asked about local cuisine, the Chinese duo answers in unison, ćevapi. "We went to restaurants several times, looked at the menus, and didn't know what to order. In the end, we'd just say: 'Just give me a ćevapi.' Then Mislav explained that it's not exactly a Croatian dish, so we'll have to try something more authentic," they recount with laughter. As souvenirs, they'll take home truffles and lavender products, and they hope for a bottle of local wine and a Croatian national football team jersey with the number 10.
