Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed the "iron-clad" friendship between China and Serbia and vowed to work jointly with the country to deepen bilateral cooperation amid new opportunities and challenges.

Xi made the remarks during a phone conversation with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday.

Speaking highly of the "iron-clad" friendship between the two countries, Xi said the close ties need both sides to cherish.

Xi called for joint efforts from the two countries to maintain the ties while developing bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective to ensure the long-standing of the friendly relationship.

He also stressed the importance of mutual support from the two sides in defending their national sovereignty and security.

Noting that China supports the people of Serbia for the development path they chose, the Chinese president suggested the two sides step up high-level cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), explore new growth points for cooperation and share opportunities to achieve common development.

In the face of global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery and climate changes, Xi reassured his Serbian counterpart that China will continue offering assistance to the country in epidemic control.

Speaking of international affairs, Xi reiterated China's commitment to multilateralism and pledged that the country will firmly defend the UN-centered international system, as well as international law and basic international norms.

The two sides also agreed to implement consensuses and results achieved at the China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) Summit and are ready to work jointly to deepen China-CEEC cooperation.

Vucic, for his part, began by extending his congratulations to the Communist Party of China (CPC) for its 100th birthday.

The Serbian president praised the remarkable achievement made by China under the leadership of the CPC and expressed his confidence in China for the development path it chose.

Calling China a great friend of Serbia, Vucic said the country is proud of the "iron-clad" friendship with China. He thanked China for its generous support when Serbia was suffering from the COVID-19 outbreak and vowed to deepen cooperation in areas including vaccines and the BRI.