Jointly meet with reporters

On the noon of May 8th local time, President Xi Jinping met with reporters after meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at the Serbian Building in Belgrade. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

Belgrade, May 8th, Xinhua News Agency (Reporter Su Liang  Shi Zhongyu) On the noon of May 8th local time, President Xi Jinping met with reporters after meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at the Serbian Building in Belgrade. 

On the noon of May 8th local time, President Xi Jinping met with reporters after meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at the Serbian Building in Belgrade. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

President Xi Jinping, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, extends sincere greetings to President Aleksandar Vucic, the Serbian government, and the brotherly Serbian people.

On the noon of May 8th local time, President Xi Jinping met with reporters after meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at the Serbian Building in Belgrade. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

President Xi Jinping pointed out that during my state visit to Serbia in 2016, I was warmly received by the Serbian leaders and people, which is still unforgettable to me. Visiting Serbia again after 8 years, I am pleased to see that under the leadership of President Aleksandar Vucic, Serbia's economy and society have flourished, its comprehensive national strength and international status have significantly improved, and its people's living standards have continued to improve. China and Serbia are true friends and good partners. The political mutual trust between the two countries is as solid as a rock, practical cooperation has been upgraded, multilateral coordination is close and smooth, and the steadfast friendship is enduring.

President Xi Jinping emphasized that last night, President Aleksandar Vucic and his wife, as well as the Prime Minister, former President, Speaker, and Foreign Minister, personally went to the airport to welcome me and my wife, and arranged a unique Serbian performance, which was touching. This morning, President Aleksandar Vucic arranged a grand and warm welcome ceremony for the masses, and I was once again moved by the sincere emotions of the Serbian people towards China and the Chinese people. Just now, President Aleksandar Vucic and I had an in-depth exchange of views on China Serbia relations and issues of common concern in a friendly and friendly atmosphere, and reached many new important consensus.

——We jointly announce the construction of a new era of China Serbia community with a shared future, opening a new chapter in the history of China Serbia relations. Eight years ago, Serbia became China's first comprehensive strategic partner in Central and Eastern Europe. Today, Serbia has become the first European country to jointly build a community with a shared future with China, fully reflecting the strategic, special, and high-level nature of China Serbia relations.

——We unanimously agree to strengthen strategic communication to guide and steer the direction of a community with a shared future between China and Serbia in the new era. Both sides should firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns, and consolidate the political foundation of building a community with a shared future. China supports Serbia's adherence to independence and development path that is suitable for its own national conditions, and supports Serbia's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity on the Kosovo issue.

——We have witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents, giving new impetus to win-win cooperation between China and Serbia. The high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road" between China and Serbia has achieved fruitful results. The two sides will continue to promote pragmatic cooperation in a wide range of fields, high quality and good benefits, which will not only provide solid support for each other's economic and social construction, but also become a vivid practice of promoting inclusive development of economic globalization.

——We unanimously agree to solidly promote cooperation in traditional advantageous areas such as transportation and energy infrastructure, and create innovative cooperation as a new growth point in bilateral relations. Expand personnel exchanges in various fields, comprehensively deepen cooperation in culture, education, sports, tourism, and local areas. Strengthen inter party communication and exchange of experience in governing the country. Jointly implement the three major global initiatives and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. Adhere to fairness and justice, and jointly oppose hegemonism and power politics.

President Xi Jinping announced that China supports the first phase of six practical measures for the construction of a community with a shared future between China and Serbia in the new era.

Firstly, with the joint efforts of both sides, the China Serbia Free Trade Agreement officially came into effect on July 1st this year;

Secondly, China supports Serbia in hosting the 2027 Professional World Expo, which will send delegations to participate and encourage Chinese enterprises to participate in related project construction;

Thirdly, China is willing to expand the import of high-quality agricultural products with Serbian characteristics. Both sides have completed the procedures for exporting dried plums and blueberries to China and lifted the ban on the highly pathogenic avian influenza epidemic in Serbia;

Fourthly, China will support 50 Serbian young scientists to conduct scientific research exchanges in China in the next three years;

Fifthly, the Chinese side will invite 300 Serbian youth to study in China in the next three years;

Sixthly, the Chinese side welcomes Serbia to open additional direct flights from Belgrade to Shanghai and encourages air transportation companies from both countries to open direct flights from Belgrade to Guangzhou.

President Xi Jinping points out that looking back at history, the friendship between China and Serbia has been condensed in the great struggle to jointly maintain world peace and development, and has been forged with blood and life. Focusing on the future and building a new era of China Serbia community with a shared future is a strategic choice for both sides, with the goal of realizing the aspirations of the two peoples for a better life. The driving force comes from the firm support and extensive participation of the two peoples. China is willing to work hand in hand with Serbia to embark on a new journey of building a community with a shared future between China and Serbia in the new era.

President Aleksandar Vucic stated that President Xi Jinping’s visit to Serbia after an 8-year hiatus is of great significance to Serbia. Serbia China cooperation has achieved fruitful results, and the Serbian people have received tangible benefits. My meeting with President Xi Jinping just now was in-depth and extensive, and I benefited a lot. I and President Xi Jinping also jointly signed a joint statement on building a community with a shared future between Serbia and China in the new era. Thank you to President Xi Jinping for announcing multiple practical measures to support Serbia China cooperation. We are proud of having great friends like China and the new positioning of Serbia China relations, and we are full of confidence in the future of Serbia China relations. Serbia will continue to firmly stand with China on all issues related to China's core interests. The staunch friendship between Serbia and China will not be disturbed or destroyed by any force.

Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and others attended the event.