Xi: China willing to promote high-quality growth in bilateral ties with Serbia

Under the new situation, China is willing to work with Serbia to promote the high-quality development of bilateral relations and better benefit the two peoples, said Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic in Beijing on Monday.

China and Serbia are "iron-clad friends" who have stood together through thick and thin, Xi said, noting that bilateral relations have maintained high-level development, their comprehensive strategic partnership has been further enriched and practical cooperation has yielded fruitful results.

The two sides should make joint efforts to build and operate major cooperation projects, push for the China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement to take effect as soon as possible, strengthen cooperation in science and technology innovation, deepen cooperation in education, sports and tourism, and expand personnel exchanges to carry forward friendship between the two countries, Xi said.

China supports Serbia in pursuing an independent development path and stands ready to strengthen multilateral coordination with Serbia to jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, he said.

Meanwhile, Brnabic said Serbia-China relations are solid and sound and that China has become Serbia's largest investment partner. The conclusion of the free trade agreement between the two countries in half a year fully demonstrates the firm determination of both sides to further deepen relations, she added.

The Serbian side firmly adheres to the one-China policy and expects to work with China to continue supporting each other, advancing the Belt and Road cooperation and deepening cooperation in fields including science, technology, innovation and culture, Brnabic said.

(Cover: Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, November 6, 2023. /Xinhua)