'Shared future’: China's Xi Jinping strengthens ties with Serbia, signs joint agreement

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic extended a warm welcome to Chinese President Xi Jinping Wednesday, marking the start of Xi's two-day visit to Serbia.

After meeting in Belgrade, Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Serbian President Vucic announced they would “deepen and elevate the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Serbia,” and “build a new era of a community with a shared future between China and Serbia.”

'Common fight against hegemonism'

During his official visit to Belgrade, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the solid political trust between China and Serbia, saying they will jointly oppose hegemonism and jointly defend fair access and justice.

Signing a joint agreement with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Xi underlined their determination to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership and build a society with a shared future in a new era.

Xi reiterated China's support for Serbia's independence, development path and efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, especially regarding Kosovo.

Xi outlined six practical steps to be taken in this effort, including a Serbia-China free trade agreement, China's support for Serbia's participation in EXPO 2027, and importing more Serbian products to China.

Direct flights: Belgrade to Shanghai

China also plans to support the participation of young scientists from Serbia in research in Beijing and invites Serbian youth to study in China.

Xi also welcomed the launch of direct flights between Belgrade and Shanghai and encouraged more such initiatives.

Serbia committed to 'One China' principle'

President Vucic expressed his deep gratitude to President Xi Jinping for China's steadfast support for Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

"We signed a joint statement today. That joint statement is a strategically important direction for developing our bilateral relations and worldview," Vucic added.

Reiterating Serbia's commitment to the 'one China' principle, Vucic underlined the significant growth in bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.

Following the meeting between the state delegations, representatives of Serbia and China announced the signing of 28 documents, cooperation agreements, and memorandums of understanding in various fields such as infrastructure, culture, trade, science, technology and information.

A warm welcome

Serbia was one of three stops on the Chinese President's European tour, which started in France and ended in Hungary.

Unlike his last high-stakes state visit to France, where trade disputes and concerns over Russia's war in Ukraine dominated the debate, Xi Jinping's arrival in Serbia was warmly welcomed.

Thousands gathered before the Serbian Palace to celebrate the opening, chanting “China-Serbia” and waving flags of respective countries.

Source: Newsroom & Agencies