Serbian President Vucic received Chinese President Xi and concluded numerous agreements with him. It was said that the “comprehensive strategic partnership” had been deepened. On the Taiwan issue, Vucic clearly supported Xi.
Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade. The two politicians signed a “Joint Declaration to Deepen and Strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” as state television broadcaster RTS reported.
Serbia supports China on Taiwan issue
“We are lucky that we always had a friend in the People’s Republic of China,” Vucic said afterwards. Xi described China’s relationship with the host country as an “iron friendship.” The Serbian president also reiterated his support for Beijing on the Taiwan issue. “We have a clear and simple position on China’s territorial integrity,” he told RTS, to applause from Xi. “Yes, Taiwan is China.”
In front of the main government building in Belgrade, Xi was greeted with a gun salute and the Chinese anthem. To mark his visit, the streets of the Serbian capital were decorated with Chinese flags. The “Chinese friends” were warmly welcomed by thousands of Serbs on posters.
Agreements in many areas
The delegations also signed 28 intergovernmental agreements and memoranda. They include cooperation in the areas of infrastructure, trade, science, environmental protection, technology, culture, sport and information technology. Xi announced that a free trade agreement between China and Serbia would come into force on July 1. China is ready to import more agricultural products from Serbia.
Serbia has had particularly warm relations with China for decades. These have deepened under Vucic, who has been determining the Balkan country’s politics in various functions since 2012. Among other things, China mines copper in Serbia and produces steel, solar panels and car tires. From the very beginning, Belgrade has been a partner in the “New Silk Road” infrastructure project launched by Xi.
In the evening, Xi wants to travel to Budapest, where Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is expecting him for talks.