23 August 2018

The 2016 signing of Serbia-China Joint Statement on Establishment of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership by Presidents Nikolić and Xi Jinping created basis for today’s strong development of Sino-Serbian relations

President of the National Council for Coordination of Cooperation with the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China Tomislav Nikolić had a meeting today with a delegation from the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, headed by Vice President Song Jingwu, who is also a Member of the CPPCC Foreign Affairs Committee.

Photograph: Office of the National Council

“The 2016 Serbia-China Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed by you and President Xi Jinping created the basis for today’s strong development of Sino-Serbian relations. The Chinese delegation that I am leading is visiting Serbia to continue the work that you and President Xi Jinping have started by paving the new way for cooperation between our two countries. You are perceived in China as a highly reputed politician, as someone making remarkable efforts to develop relations between our two countries. The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries devotes significant attention to public diplomacy, cooperation between peoples, and to the establishment and reinforcement of relations between states at the local level. Owing to our Association, Chinese cities have become sister cities with their 2,600 counterparts from across the world. I believe that Serbia has a great potential to make rapid progress in all areas, and Chinese entrepreneurs have an interest to take part in Serbia’s economic development”, Mr. Song Jingwu emphasized.

“Serbia considers itself among China’s greatest friends and as long as the Serbian people is wise, China will be our friend. The two countries’ bilateral cooperation is on the good rise. China first started investing in Serbian infrastructure and motorways, followed by the successful privatization of the Smederevo Steelworks. The China-based Zijin is one of the companies interested in strategic partnership with the Mining and Smelting Combine Bor, while a tyre factory construction agreement with Shangdong Linglong has been signed today in Zrenjanin. Everyone in Serbia is aware of the importance of its cooperation with China, and I am content that my idea of China manufacturing in Serbia is slowly beginning to take shape”, Council President Nikolić underlined.