China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) started work on a new highway segment near Serbia’s capital Belgrade on Wednesday.

An opening ceremony was held at the construction site near Obrenovac, some 30 kilometers southwest of the capital, with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Manchang in attendance.

The 17.6-kilometer Surcin-Obrenovac segment will connect two existing highways, facilitating travel from Belgrade to Obrenovac and further towards the Montenegro border.

Vucic noted that the highway project was of vital importance to Serbia. Li meanwhile expressed hope that Chinese companies would be appointed to construct the remaining part of the new highway.

The commercial contract for the construction of the Surcin-Obrenovac segment was signed last June during a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Serbia.

According to the Chinese company, the construction of the highway segment will be completed in 36 months.

(With inputs from Xinhua)