* Interview with Nicolae Vasilescu, the president of the Romanian-Chinese House
Reporter: Lately there has been a lot of talk about the interest of Chinese investors of entering our market. How big is that interest, really?
Nicolae Vasilescu: The interest of Chinese companies in investing in Romania is increasing, but for now we are at a tentative stage. There is a significant surplus of cash-flow on the Chinese market, which the countries going through a crisis could use, "and the smartest European countries are taking the actions needed to benefit from this cash flow. China can become a viable alternative for the financing of European projects. We are on the way up, but the light at the end of the tunnel is far - the authorities sure know how to speak a lot and say lots of nice things, but they are not doing anything.
Reporter: Concretely, how is our country's relationship with the Chinese?
Nicolae Vasilescu: The attitude towards a country like China is very important. Out of Eastern Europe, it's Hungary that has excellent economic relations with China, not us. For example, whereas last year, the Romanian state issued 11,000 visas for Chinese citizens, Hungary issued 114,000 visas.
This means that the Hungarians are very permissive when it comes to allowing the Chinese who want to come and invest in their country. Our visa policy is very restrictive. Sure there are < recommendations > in this regard at the EU level, since we are a state which wants to enter the Schengen space. Normally, our border would have to be very well secured, but not even the Chinese who have a Schengen visa enter in Romania.
They are required to get a Romanian visa, which is absurd, considering they have a Schengen visa in their pocket".
Reporter: What other problems do the Chinese run into when they come here to do business?
Nicolae Vasilesc
