Chinese President Xi Jinping held a significant meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on a momentous Tuesday in Beijing, where he hailed Serbia as a steadfast and unwavering friend of China. President Xi commended the resilience of the bilateral relations between the two nations amidst the dynamic changes in the global landscape in recent years, highlighting them as a prime example of the amicable ties shared between China and European countries.
In the face of unprecedented global transformations that have not been witnessed in a century, both leaders emphasized the need to approach the China-Serbia relationship from a strategic vantage point and with a long-term perspective. They reaffirmed their commitment to unwavering support for each other’s core interests and major concerns, and resolute backing of each other’s chosen developmental paths.
President Xi assured Serbia of China’s steadfast support in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. He expressed a strong willingness to bolster strategic alignment with Serbia, further elevating the traditional friendship between the two countries into concrete, pragmatic cooperation.
Both leaders stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation across various sectors, such as culture, education, tourism, sports, and more, to ensure that the enduring friendship between China and Serbia shines brightly in this new era.
President Vucic expressed his nation’s deep respect, friendship, and importance attributed to China by leading a significant government delegation to attend the third Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation in China. This act underscored Serbia’s commitment to fostering strong ties with China.
The robust China-Serbia relationship has stood the test of time, with Serbia consistently adhering to a friendly policy toward China and aligning itself with China on all matters of mutual concern, including resolute support for the one-China principle. Serbia takes pride in the unwavering friendship with China and acknowledges China’s consistent respect and equitable treatment, particularly during times of adversity.
Liu Zuokui, the Deputy Director of the Institute of European Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, explained that China and Serbia share a high level of political mutual trust. They maintain a cohesive stance on major strategic issues and understand each other’s core interests and concerns, notably on sensitive topics such as China’s Taiwan issue and Serbia’s Kosovo dispute. These are issues where both nations hold firm positions against separatism and divisive forces that disrupt stability.
In their united front against hegemony and power politics, China and Serbia also exhibit a remarkable consensus, reflecting their shared commitment to countering these harmful tendencies.
Notably, this marked the third time President Vucic participated in the Belt and Road Forum, having previously attended in 2017 and 2019. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has served as a catalyst for technological advancement in Serbia. A prime example of this is the first phase of the Hungary-Serbia Railway, a vital BRI project that transported nearly three million passengers between Belgrade and Novi Sad, Serbia’s two largest cities, within its inaugural year of operation. The construction of the second phase of the project is progressing according to schedule, with an anticipated completion date of the end of 2024.
Following the meeting between Presidents Xi and Vucic, the two heads of state presided over the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation agreements. These included the mid-term action plan for the Belt and Road Initiative, a memorandum of understanding focusing on industry and investment cooperation, and a groundbreaking free trade agreement (FTA).
Of particular significance, the FTA between China and Serbia represents the first of its kind between China and a Central or Eastern European country. It also marks the 22nd free trade agreement signed by China and designates Serbia as China’s 29th free trade partner.
Additionally, on this momentous Tuesday, China’s CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co Ltd finalized a high-speed train procurement agreement with Serbian transportation authorities. This groundbreaking deal will see Chinese high-speed electric multiple units (EMUs) with speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour exported to Europe for the very first time.
Despite Serbia facing pressure from Western nations over its close collaboration with China, the country remains steadfast in its pursuit of balanced diplomacy with major powers such as the United States, Russia, and China. This resolve has been challenged by Western efforts to diminish the influence of external actors, including Russia and China, in the Balkans.
However, Serbia stands out among European countries as a model of success, demonstrating that with a solid foundation of political mutual trust and a shared desire for economic cooperation, fruitful outcomes can be realized not only within Europe but also on the global stage. This enduring partnership between China and Serbia represents a beacon of hope amid the changing currents of international relations.
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