Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric is scheduled for an official visit to China from December 19 to 21.
He announced the visit in a post on X (formerly Twitter), where he spoke of the “advancement of bilateral relations.”
The visit comes at the invitation of Wang Yi, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and China’s Foreign Minister.
Speaking at a regular press conference on Monday about Djuric’s upcoming visit, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian described Serbia as “China’s iron friend.”
“In recent years, under the strategic guidance of Presidents Xi Jinping and Aleksandar Vucic, bilateral relations have grown rapidly, achieving historic accomplishments. Cooperation in fields such as infrastructure, energy, culture, people-to-people exchanges, and education continues to expand, and bilateral relations have deepened and improved,” said the spokesperson.
“Through this visit, China is ready to work with Serbia to consolidate their ‘iron friendship,’ strengthen strategic communication, deepen practical cooperation, and advance the building of a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era,” Lin added.
Despite recent warnings from the European Union, where Serbia officially claims it wants to become a member, the country continues to focus on deepening cooperation in various sectors with China.
Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Serbia in May of this year and was warmly welcomed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
During that visit, Xi and Vucic signed a joint declaration to build a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era, enhancing the relationship from the comprehensive strategic partnership established in 2016. The agreement makes Serbia the first European country to build such a community with China.
China views Serbia under President Vucic, as well as Hungary under its authoritarian leader Viktor Orban, as a gateway to the European Union.
On October 17, 2023, President Xi met with President Vucic at the Great Hall of the People while Vucic was in China to participate in the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Vucic noted that he had led a large government delegation to China for the Forum, demonstrating “Serbia’s respect and friendship for China and the importance Serbia attaches to its relationship with China.” Vucic emphasized that Serbia-China relations have withstood various challenges.
Source: TheGeopost
