China, Serbia willing to expand use of China-Europe freight trains: joint statement

China and Serbia are willing to expand the use of China-Europe freight trains, and the Chinese side is happy to see more quality Serbian products transported to the Chinese market through the train service, according to a joint statement issued by the two countries on Wednesday.

The statement was signed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

In 2023, the China-Europe freight train service connected 219 cities in 25 European countries, establishing a secure and efficient lifeline for global industrial and supply chains.

According to the joint statement on building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era, Serbia supports the efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

The Serbian side is willing to work with China to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, it said.

According to the statement, both countries agree to jointly develop new quality productive forces per local conditions and build high-tech industrial cooperation projects. 

The two countries also agree to deepen cooperation in space science and technology, and China welcomes Serbia's participation in the International Lunar Research Station, it added. 

China and Serbia are willing to strengthen financial cooperation and support the early opening of Serbia's RMB clearance bank, the statement said. 

The two sides stand ready to promote the use of local currency settlement in bilateral trade and investment, and encourage their financial institutions to provide financing support and financial services for trade and investment cooperation, it added.