In a historic move, Serbia has emerged as the first European country to build a community with a shared future with the Chinese mainland. This significant upgrade in bilateral relations was solidified during a high-level meeting in Serbia between Chinese Premier Xi Jinping and his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vučić.
The announcement marks a new chapter in the comprehensive strategic partnership that was established eight years ago. Serbian Ambassador to China Maja Stefanovic highlighted the importance of Xi's state visit, describing it as the most crucial foreign diplomatic event of the year for Serbia.
China's Ambassador to Serbia, Li Ming, emphasized the exponential growth of China-Serbia relations under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). \"Our partnership has significantly contributed to building a community with a shared future,\" Li stated, pointing to various BRI projects that have boosted employment, trade, and investment in Serbia.
A flagship project under this partnership is the Hungary-Serbia railway, a vital connection that links southern Europe with northern regions. Ivona Ladjevac, Deputy Director of the Serbia Institute of International Politics and Economics, noted that the high-speed railway has already facilitated travel for 8 million people, fostering integrated development between Serbia's two largest cities.
Former Chinese Ambassador to Serbia and President of the China Institute of International Studies, Chen Bo, added, \"The railway not only enhances convenience for residents but also strengthens economic ties by enabling seamless transport of goods between Europe and Asia.\"
As Serbia continues to deepen its collaboration with the Chinese mainland, projects like the Hungary-Serbia railway illustrate the tangible benefits of this strategic partnership, paving the way for sustainable and inclusive growth in the region.
Reference(s):
Upgrade in China-Serbia ties highly expected and warmly welcomed
cgtn.com
