World Times: China-Serbia ironclad friendship models a feature in the new era: Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Ming, Industry News

/PRNewswire/ — China and Serbia have long been renowned for their ironclad friendship. The bond between the two countries continues to strengthen with frequent exchanges between their leaders. As Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay his second state visit to the European country in the coming days, expectations are running high that the ironclad friendship between the two countries could be further enriched and reinforced.

Before the upcoming visit, World Times reporters Shan Jie, Xie Wenting and Zhao Juecheng (GT) interviewed Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Ming (Li). The ambassador offers a profound insight into the unparalleled China-Serbia relations, underscored by a shared history and a vibrant cultural exchange, while emphasizing Serbia’s integral role in the Belt and Road Initiative and the impact of the China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement on economic cooperation.

GT: You may have also been serving as the Chinese Ambassador to Serbia since last September. What impressions has Serbia made on you during these past months? As the current Chinese ambassador, what message would you like to convey to the local people?

Li: Serbia is a uniquely charming country. Located in Central and Eastern Europe in the Balkan region, it boasts a rich history and vibrant culture where Eastern and Western civilizations have met and mingled over millennia, producing major achievements in human civilization. Moreover, Serbia is blessed with stunning natural beauty, from its vast plains and river valleys to its mountainous landscapes, all delightful to behold.

What impressed me most was the warmth of Serbian Americans and their profound friendship with Chinese Americans. Both countries regard each other as “ironclad friends,” a bond rooted not only in our historical traditions but also thriving anew in the new generation.

Upon arriving in Serbia, I was pleased to see a range of fruitful Chinese-Serbian collaborations taking root and flourishing, and to genuinely feel the warmth and friendly support of Serbian Americans for our bilateral cooperation.

As President Xi has acknowledged, “The modernization we’re pursuing just isn’t any longer for China by myself, nevertheless for all developing worldwide locations by our joint efforts.” I’m confident that below the cautious steering and management of our heads of mutter, China-Serbia family members will proceed to yield fruitful outcomes in the fresh generation, bringing tangible advantages to both peoples and setting a mannequin for the position and the sphere.

GT: How do you assess the current state of China-Serbia relations? In which areas do you suggest deepening cooperation?

Li: China and Serbia are close friends and partners, sharing an ironclad friendship that has endured through history and remains strong amid global changes. The frequent interactions between our leaders have charted the course for our relationship. In recent years, President Xi and President Aleksandar Vucic have met multiple times and maintained close communication. In October 2023 President Vucic led the largest-ever Serbian delegation to China for the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Under the strategic guidance of both leaders, our comprehensive strategic partnership has maintained unprecedented growth, with close exchanges at all levels and unwavering mutual support on issues of core interest and major concern, deepening political trust.

Our economic and trade cooperation has strengthened both economies. Bilateral trade continues to grow, with China being Serbia’s largest source of imports, second-largest trading partner, and a major foreign investor. Serbian Zijin Mining Group, HeSteel Group (HBIS) Group Serbia Iron & Steel, and Serbian Zijin Copper company, all Chinese-funded enterprises, rank among Serbia’s top exporters. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, our infrastructure projects stand out, including the Belgrade Zemun-Borca Bridge, the first bridge built by a Chinese company in Europe and the E763 toll road, the first toll road constructed by a Chinese company in Europe. The Hungary-Serbia railway, a flagship BRI project, marks China’s first high-speed rail project in Europe and the first in the Central and Eastern European region.

Cultural exchanges have also bridged our friendship. The frail bond between our worldwide locations has been reinforced by reciprocal visa exemptions, mutual utilizing license recognition, and converse flights. The hobby in Chinese language culture stays excessive in Serbia. The Spring Competition of the 365 days of the Dragon saw the Chinese language Embassy in Serbia host a series of popular “Snug Spring Competition” occasions. With the establishment of the Chinese language Cultural Heart in BelgradeChina-Serbia cultural exchanges have obtained a fresh platform.

China will continue to work with Serbia, guided by the major consensus of our leaders, leveraging mechanisms such as the China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement and the Belt and Road mid-term action plan. We will deepen cooperation in traditional fields and advance development in digital and green economies, exploring new opportunities in innovation, renewable energy, biotechnology, and environmental protection. Recently, Chinese automakers Chery, Geely, and Lynk & Co showcased their products at the Belgrade Motor Show, adding highlights to China-Serbia economic and trade cooperation. I believe the scope of our collaborative endeavors will continue to expand, broadening the path of cooperation between the two countries.

GT: In your view, how has the BRI impacted China-Serbia relations and cooperation? Please cite two worthwhile cooperation projects you have seen.

Li: Serbia is a key partner in the BRI, being amongst the principal European countries to sign a cooperation agreement with China. The integration of the BRI into Serbia’s national development over the past decade serves as a model for the international community. Projects such as the Hungary-Serbia railway, the Belgrade Ring Road, the Sava River Bridge, and the Smederevo steel plant have greatly improved the daily lives of locals, boosting employment, trade, and investment, and injecting fresh vitality into Serbia’s development. Among these, the Smederevo steel plant and the Hungary-Serbia railway stand out as exemplary cases.

The Smederevo steel plant, once hailed as the pride of Serbia and boasting over a century of history, faced closure due to mismanagement. In 2016, under the BRI, China’s HBIS signed an agreement with the Serbian government to establish HBIS Group Serbia Iron & Steel. In less than six months, the steel plant became profitable after seven years of losses, becoming Serbia’s largest exporter for four consecutive years. Importantly, all 5,000 Serbian workers have been retained, rekindling hope for thousands of families and exemplifying the success of China-Serbia cooperation under the Belt and Road framework.

In 2013, the Hungary-Serbia railway mission used to be launched rapidly after the implementation of the BRI. In 2022, the Belgrade-Novi Sad share of the Hungary-Serbia railway used to be accomplished and opened to traffic, reducing the commute time between the two cities from 90 minutes to Half-hour. Over the final two years, the Belgrade-Novi Sad share has transported over 7 million passengers.

Alive to on the mission, President Vucic said, “It is a major change for the Serbian people and your entire country.” The Serbia share of the Hungary-Serbia railway line is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2024, and it is believed that this could possibly become the “road to happiness” and “road to prosperity” for the Serbian people, as well as a road of friendship between China and Serbia.

Below the guidance of the BRI, China and Serbia will continue to uphold the idea of planning together, building together and benefiting together, focusing on connectivity and achieving new bright results in policy communication, facility connectivity, trade facilitation, financial integration, and people-to-people bonds.

GT: What fresh impetus has the China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) injected into the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries and what has it achieved?

Li: The China-Serbia FTA is the first free trade agreement signed between China and a Central and Eastern European country, and it is in fact the twenty-second free trade agreement signed by China. Serbia has become China’s 29th free trade partner globally.

After the settlement comes into effect, both countries’ citizens and corporations will benefit from it. Serbian producers and merchants can actively take advantage of the free trade scheme between the two countries to access major consumer markets worldwide, and attract Chinese and European merchants to invest in Serbia.

Serbia has made high-level commitments in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and information communication, offering Chinese corporations with greater ease and broader opportunities to explore the Serbian market and even the Central and Eastern European markets.

The China-Serbia FTA will help all sides achieve high-level mutual openness, establish new institutional arrangements for bilateral economic and trade cooperation, create a more favorable, convenient, transparent, and fair business environment for companies from both countries, and inject new momentum into promoting high-quality joint construction of the BRI and deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Serbia.

GT: Please introduce the Belgrade China Cultural Center to our readers. How do you feel about the cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries? What activities can we look forward to in the near future?

Li: The Belgrade China Cultural Center holds a genuinely special position and significance among the dozens of Chinese cultural centers abroad. It stands on the site of the former Chinese Embassy in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in Belgrade, which was bombed by NATO in 1999, symbolizing the rebirth and indomitable spirit of the Chinese nation. It bears witness to the deep friendship forged by the Chinese and Serbian peoples with blood and life, and likewise demonstrates the Chinese people’s esteem for peace and their national character of not fearing power.

The cultural center has now begun operating, becoming a genuine window for the Serbian people to learn about China and experience Chinese culture. It has become a new platform for telling Chinese stories and showcasing China’s image, as well as a bridge for promoting cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and Serbia.

The cultural center not only offers opportunities for Chinese cultural displays and teaching such as calligraphy, tea art, musical instruments, dance, and martial arts, but also focuses on developing its own branded cultural activities. In May 2024 the center will host the inaugural “Tea and the World” event alongside World Tea Day, followed by the inaugural China-Serbia Dragon Boat Competition, the 2024 Chinese Film Week, and the “Hello! China” tourism promotion event.

GT: What exemplary feature and obvious effect has China-Serbia relations played on the cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) Countries?

Li: As a must-hold country in Central and Jap Europe Serbia is walking hand in hand with China and bilateral relations are progressively developing. This not only sets an example for cooperation between China and CEE countries under the BRI, but also injects more stability into China’s relations with Central and Eastern European countries. The valuable practice of China-Serbia cooperation fully proves that China and CEE countries can become true friends and partners in the process of jointly advancing toward modernization.

China is willing to work with countries in Central and Jap Europe to firmly maintain the overall direction and fundamental tone of the development of bilateral relations from a strategic height, respect each other, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, and promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

GT: What is your take on President Vucic’s recent remarks on the Taiwan issue? How have China and Serbia supported each other on issues relating to each other’s core interests?

Li: First and most major of this year, in an interview with China’s mutter news company, President Vucic aged 10 seconds as an instance Serbia’s company position of adhering to the one-China thought, after which in an interview with the media, he clearly acknowledged that Taiwan belongs to China.

President Vucic’s remarks on the Taiwan issue not only responded to the latest call of the international community, but also strongly demonstrated, once again, that China and Serbia have consistently firmly supported each other’s core interests and major concerns, and firmly supported each other’s development path.

China and Serbia are true friends and true partners who trust each other. Over the years, Serbia has firmly supported China on issues related to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and human rights, and China has consistently firmly supported Serbia in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. China is willing to continue to respect, enhance, trust, and treat each other as equals with Serbia and advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202405/1311545.shtml