On May 7th, when he went to Belgrade for a state visit to Serbia, the Supreme Leader of president published a signed article entitled "Let the light of die-hard friendship light up the road of cooperation between China and Serbia" in Serbian Politburo. The full text of the article is as follows:
Let the light of hardcore friendship illuminate the road of cooperation between China and Serbia.
Chairman People’s Republic of China (PRC), Supreme Leader
On the day of Meng Xia, everything is beautiful. At this hopeful time, I will pay a state visit to the Republic of Serbia at the invitation of President Alec Sandahl Vucic. This is the second time that I have set foot on this beautiful and legendary land of Serbia since I became President of People’s Republic of China (PRC). The beautiful scene of visiting Serbia eight years ago is still vivid, and the close cooperation between the two sides has achieved fruitful results in the past eight years. I look forward to talking about friendship and cooperation with Serbian leaders and friends, such as President Vucic, once again, so as to inject new vitality into the die-hard friendship between China and Serbia.
China and Serbia are far apart, but the two peoples are always hand in hand. During the years of the anti-fascist war and the period of national construction in the last century, the people of the two countries cultivated deep friendly feelings across time and space. In the great changes that have never happened in the world in the past century, the two sides have become more firm in supporting each other, closer in mutually beneficial cooperation and deeper in exchanges and mutual learning. No matter how the international situation changes, China and Serbia are always true friends and good partners. Our die-hard friendship has lasted for a long time, setting a good example for exchanges between the country and the people.
We insist on mutual respect and trust. I have established a good working relationship with President Vucic through meetings, phone calls and letters. The two countries maintain close contacts at all levels and in all fields. The two sides fully understand and respect the development path chosen by their people, adhere to the principle of fairness and justice, firmly support each other’s core interests and major concerns, and coordinate and cooperate closely and smoothly in bilateral and multilateral fields. The comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has been deepening and deepening.
We insist on mutual benefit. Serbia is China’s first free trade partner in Central and Eastern Europe. Last year, China was the largest source of investment and the second largest trading partner of Serbia. The cooperation in economy, trade, industrial chain and infrastructure construction between the two sides is in the ascendant, helping the respective modernization processes of the two countries. In 2016, the Smederevo Steel Plant of Hegang, which I visited, has become one of the three largest export enterprises in Serbia. Serbian agricultural products such as honey, red wine, beef and mutton are deeply loved by consumers in China.
We insist on helping each other. After the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, I spoke to President Vucic twice and reached an important consensus on anti-epidemic cooperation. China assisted Serbia and gave priority to providing many batches of medical protection materials, and also sent experts to Serbia. Serbia fully supported China’s "Spring Seedling Action" to help overseas Chinese during the epidemic, and Serbian non-governmental organizations spontaneously donated masks and other materials to the people of China. This kind of brotherhood is precious.
We insist on learning from each other. Both China and Serbia are committed to the pursuit of people’s happiness and national prosperity. The two countries actively exchange experience in governing the country and strengthen political party exchanges. The people of the two countries have a deep affection for each other, and cultural, sports, tourism and other cultural exchanges are warm. Serbian basketball star Jokic cheered for China and the American country basketball competition. The two countries are exempt from visas for ordinary passport holders, which facilitates personnel exchanges and exchanges and cooperation.
Chinese said, "Friends unite in righteousness". The Serbs said, "Friends are the best wealth in life". The long-term friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Serbia fully show that the continuous deepening and development of bilateral relations conforms to the historical trend, conforms to the fundamental interests of the people and is conducive to the common progress of both sides. In the new era and new journey, China-Serbia comprehensive strategic partnership has broad space for further development. Through this visit, I would like to work together with Serbia to carry forward the hardcore friendship between China and Serbia, and take concrete actions to better benefit the two peoples, promote world peace and development, and jointly promote the building of a community of human destiny.
We should always be good friends who treat each other sincerely. China and Serbia will deepen and expand the comprehensive strategic partnership. The two sides will continue to advance along the road of mutual understanding, mutual trust, mutual support and mutual assistance, and continue to give each other firm support on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns. China respects and supports the development path chosen by the Serbian people, supports Serbia’s efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and opposes any interference in Serbia’s internal affairs.
We should always be good partners for win-win cooperation. China is promoting Chinese-style modernization with high-quality development and accelerating the development of new quality productive forces. In recent years, Serbia has made remarkable achievements in economic and social development. China and Serbia should deeply tap the potential of mutually beneficial cooperation, implement the medium-term action plan for jointly building the "Belt and Road", strive to build more landmark projects, expand cooperation in emerging fields such as scientific and technological innovation, advanced manufacturing, green energy, digital economy and artificial intelligence, share development opportunities and create a better future.
We should always be a good example to promote fairness and justice. As die-hard friends and defenders of world peace, China and Serbia have similar positions on many major international and regional issues. Facing the turbulent international situation, we should strengthen coordination and cooperation in the United Nations and other international organizations, jointly advocate an equal and orderly world multipolarization and inclusive economic globalization, practice true multilateralism, and commit ourselves to maintaining world peace and stability and international fairness and justice.
We should always be good bosom friends who are connected with the people. The hard-core friendship between China and Serbia has experienced the tempering of blood and fire, and it has even glowed with new brilliance in the new era. We should create a three-dimensional and diversified pattern of people-to-people exchanges and local cooperation, make good use of the effect of "visa-free+direct flights", give full play to the role of mutual cultural centers, increase cooperation in education, sports, culture and tourism, create more opportunities for young people, and let China-Serbia friendship pass on from generation to generation.
At this moment, we can’t forget that 25 years ago today, NATO brazenly bombed China’s embassy in Yugoslavia, and three China journalists, Shao Yunhuan, Xu Xinghu and Zhu Ying, were killed. The people of China cherish peace, but they will never let the historical tragedy repeat itself. The blood-soaked friendship between the Chinese and Serbian peoples has become the common memory of the two peoples, and will also inspire both sides to stride forward together.
Looking back on the journey to Qian Shan, looking forward to Wan Muchun. Standing at a new historical starting point, we are willing to work together with Serbian friends to make progress in Do not forget your initiative mind, work together to create a new chapter in national development and revitalization, and build a community of destiny between China and Serbia in the new era. Let’s witness and expect the tree of China-Serbia friendship to grow sturdily and bear more fruitful results for the benefit of the two peoples.




















