BEIJING, May 8th (ABP) – ” Standing at a new historical starting point, China will work with Serbia to jointly stay committed to the original aspiration and forge ahead together to open up a new vista in China-Serbia cooperation with stronger momentum, greater scope, and higher quality “, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a statement on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, upon his arrival at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport of Serbia, at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić.
After extending heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the friendly government and people of Serbia, President Xi indicated that China and Serbia enjoy profound traditional friendship. ” Our bilateral relationship has stood the test of changing international environment and become a fine example of state-to-state relations “, he said.
Since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, the bilateral relationship has realized leapfrog development, and achieved historic results, President Xi pointed out, revealing that the two countries are bound by rock-solid political mutual trust, and have seen fruitful results in high quality Belt and Road cooperation.
” We have agreed on comprehensive mutual visa exemption, opened direct flights, and signed a free trade agreement. People-to-people exchanges are becoming more robust. Our ironclad friendship has taken deeper roots in the heart of the two peoples. China and Serbia have rendered each other firm support on issues concerning our respective core interests and major concerns. We have jointly upheld international fairness and justice, and contributed our share to promoting world peace and development “, the President of the People’s Republic of China continued to reveal.
He further stressed that cooperation between the two countries is rooted in the principle of equality and mutual benefits. It serves the fundamental and long-term interests of both countries, provides strong momentum for our respective development and rejuvenation, brings benefits to the two peoples, and contributes to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, he explained.
” I look forward to taking this visit as an opportunity to have in-depth exchange of views with President Vučić on the bilateral relationship and other issues of mutual interest, renew friendship, plan for cooperation, explore development, and draw up a new blueprint for the development of bilateral relations. I am confident that this visit will be a fruitful one and will open up a new chapter in China-Serbia relations “, he expressed his wish.
Note that on the morning of May 8, 2024, President Xi Jinping held talks with President Aleksandar Vučić of Serbia at the Palace of Serbia in Belgrade. The two heads of state jointly announced the decision to deepen and elevate the China-Serbia comprehensive strategic partnership, and build a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era.