Xi extols special, strategic Serbia ties
CHINESE President Xi Jinping and his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic held talks in Belgrade yesterday.
Thanking Vucic and the Serbian government for their hospitality and thoughtful arrangements, Xi said the ironclad friendship between China and Serbia has withstood the test of international vicissitudes and features a profound historical heritage, a solid political foundation and extensive common interests.
Xi noted that under President Vucic’s leadership, Serbia has achieved rapid economic development and its people’s standard of living has continued to improve.
Serbia has always upheld independence and resolutely safeguarded its national sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity when facing complex external environments and various challenges, winning widespread respect from the international community, he said.
Xi added that he and President Vucic have met multiple times in recent years and have communicated on strategic and overall issues regarding China-Serbia relations, achieving historic achievements.
China is willing to work with Serbia to uphold and develop the bilateral friendship, safeguard the fundamental and long-term interests of the two countries and pursue respective national development and rejuvenation, to promote the building of a ChinaSerbia community with a shared future in the new era, said Xi.
Under the new circumstances, Serbia has become the first European country to build a community with a shared future with China, which fully demonstrates the strategic, special, and high-level nature of the bilateral relationship, the president insisted.
Xi called on China and Serbia to carry forward the innovative nature of bilateral relations, open up new prospects for cooperation, and make innovative cooperation a new growth point of bilateral ties.
Vucic said that the Serbian side firmly supports China’s legitimate position on Taiwan and other issues involving core interests.
He said there is only one China in the world, and Serbia will continue to firmly support China unwaveringly and without hesitation.
The two presidents yesterday also signed a joint statement on the building of a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era, making Serbia the first European country to reach such a consensus with China.
During the joint press conference, Xi announced six measures to support the initiative. With joint efforts from China and Serbia, the free trade agreement between the two countries will take effect on July 1, he said.
China supports Serbia in hosting Expo 2027 and will send a delegation to participate in the grand event, Xi said, adding that China encourages its enterprises to take part in the construction of relevant projects.
China is ready to import more quality and distinctive agricultural products from Serbia, the president suggested.
The Chinese side will aid 50 young Serbian scientists in exchange programs with China for the next three years, he added.
Xi said the Chinese side will invite 300 Serbian youths to study in China in the next three years.
China welcomes Serbia to increase direct flights between Belgrade and Shanghai and encourages airlines from both sides to launch direct flights between Belgrade and Guangzhou, the Chinese president said.
In the joint statement, the two countries decided to deepen and elevate the China-Serbia comprehensive strategic partnership.
Serbia was the first Central and Eastern European country to become China’s comprehensive strategic partner eight years ago.
(Agencies)