Chinese President Xi Jinping
and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic held talks in Beijing on Monday, hailing the ironclad friendship between the two countries
and pledging to boost cooperation ranging from transportation
and emerging areas to people-to-people exchanges.
IRONCLAD FRIENDSHIP
Vucic is on his first state visit to China from May 24 to 28. He previously traveled to China several times for international events. Vucic, notably, was in China last September for the commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression
and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Xi said the two sides have jointly opened a new chapter in building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era since his state visit to Serbia in 2024, benefiting both peoples
and setting a model of state-to-state relations.
Xi stressed that the robust friendship between China
and Serbia is unique, underpinned by a profound historical logic
and a strong practical foundation, adding that the two sides should continue to firmly support each other.
"China supports Serbia in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions
and stands ready to strengthen exchanges on governance experience," Xi said.
During Vucic's visit, Xi awarded him the Friendship Medal, the highest honorary medal of the People's Republic of China bestowed on foreign nationals.
This medal is not only a high recognition of President Vucic's contributions to China-Serbia friendship, but also carries the earnest expectations of the two peoples for building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era, Xi stressed.
President Vucic has always given China his firmest
and clearest support on issues related to China's core interests
and major concerns, earning the respect of the Chinese people, Xi said.
Vucic said this is one of the most important moments of his life,
and the medal is not only the highest honor for himself, but also a recognition of Serbia's pursuit of sovereignty, independence
and development.
Noting that China always respects smaller countries, stands with the Serbian people in difficult times,
and helps Serbia develop, Vucic said Serbia will never forget China's support
and assistance,
and he will continue to dedicate himself to the Serbia-China friendship
and work with China to advance the building of a Serbia-China community with a shared future.
Vucic's visit demonstrates the continuity of the highest-level political dialogue between Serbia
and China,
and the nature of China-Serbia relationship is reflected in multifaceted cooperation in bilateral
and multilateral fields, former Yugoslav Foreign Minister Zivadin Jovanovic said.
ALL-ROUND COOPERATION
Noting that China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) lays out comprehensive arrangements for high-quality development, Xi said China
and Serbia should better align development strategies, implement the mid-term action plan for Belt
and Road cooperation,
and advance cooperation in transport
and energy infrastructure among others.
Against the backdrop of a new scientific
and technological revolution
and industrial transformation, the two sides should expand cooperation in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, green energy
and advanced manufacturing to foster new growth drivers, he said.
Xi also called on both countries to leverage visa exemption policies, the free trade agreement
and direct flights to expand all-round cooperation in culture, education, sports, tourism
and sub-national exchanges.
The fluid
and turbulent international landscape requires closer coordination
and cooperation between China
and Serbia in global affairs, Xi said, adding that the two countries should practice true multilateralism,
and strive to unswervingly advance an equal
and orderly multipolar world
and a universally beneficial
and inclusive economic globalization,
and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Hailing the ironclad friendship between the two countries, Vucic expressed appreciation for Chinese enterprises participating in
and significantly contributing to Serbia's development.
Serbia looks forward to working with China to deepen high-quality Belt
and Road cooperation, advance major projects
and enhance people-to-people exchanges to achieve more tangible results in bilateral relations, he said.
Serbia endorses the major global initiatives put forward by President Xi
and stands ready to further strengthen multilateral coordination with China to uphold international peace, as well as fairness
and justice, Vucic added.
"In today's world, China plays a unique role as a leading engine of global economic growth
and a promoter of multilateralism. In other words, China functions as a key factor of stability
and economic growth," said Gordana Mi?ev, acting director of the Institute of International Politics
and Economics in Serbia.
After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of over 20 cooperation documents in areas including politics, economy
and trade, science
and technology, education, legal affairs
and culture.
The two sides also issued a joint statement on continuously promoting the building of a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era,
and a joint statement on jointly promoting the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative
and the Global Governance Initiative.
Prior to the talks, Xi
and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcome ceremony for Vucic
and his wife Tamara Vucic in the Great Hall of the People. Xi
and Peng also held a welcome banquet for them in the evening.
Editor：Evan
