Chinese President Xi Jinping and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met in Belgrade on Wednesday, pledging to strengthen the “ironclad” friendship between their countries and build a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era.
President Xi expressed gratitude for the hospitality and emphasized that the China-Serbia friendship has withstood international challenges, featuring a profound historical heritage, a solid political foundation, and extensive common interests. He noted that Serbia is China’s first comprehensive strategic partner in Central and Eastern Europe.
“Under the new circumstances, Serbia has become the first European country to build a community with a shared future with China, fully demonstrating the strategic, special, and high-level nature of our bilateral relationship,” Xi said.
He called for deepening high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and highlighted that the free trade agreement between China and Serbia, taking effect on July 1, marks a new stage of mutual opening up. China is ready to import more quality agricultural products from Serbia and will invite 300 Serbian youths to study in China over the next three years.
President Xi also emphasized innovation as a new growth point in bilateral ties, proposing cooperation in fields like artificial intelligence and committing to aid 50 young Serbian scientists in exchange programs with China.
President Vucic affirmed Serbia’s firm support for China’s legitimate position on Taiwan and other core interests. He expressed that China’s investment and cooperation have greatly promoted Serbia’s development and improved living standards.
“Serbia’s future is closely linked to China,” Vucic said, looking forward to strengthening cooperation in infrastructure, new energy, innovation, and AI. He welcomed more Chinese enterprises to invest in Serbia and expressed hope for more direct flights to expand economic and trade cooperation.
Prior to their talks, President Xi was greeted by thousands of Serbians, and President Vucic held a welcome ceremony. After the meeting, the two leaders signed a joint statement on building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era, witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents, and met with the press.
Reference(s):
President Xi calls for upholding China-Serbia ironclad friendship
cgtn.com
