A Serbian official and a scholar have expressed their optimism about the prospect of more Serbia-China cooperation in multiple fronts including infrastructure ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to the European country.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay state visits to France, Serbia and Hungary from May 5 to 10.
In a recent interview with the China Central Television (CCTV) in Belgrade, Goran Vesic, Serbian minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, said "The most significant cooperation between Serbia and China lies in the field of infrastructure construction. Chinese investment in Serbia's highways, high-speed railways and other infrastructure projects, for instance, sewage treatment, has further expanded since eight years ago when President Xi visited our country. We look forward to his visit this time to inject new impetus for the bilateral cooperation on infrastructure."
Also in a recent interview with CCTV in Belgrade, Dragana Mitrovic, president of the Institute for Asian Studies in Serbia, said "In the second decade of the BRI (the Belt and Road Initiative), there is going to be more inclusiveness and connectivity, green projects etc. There are numerous areas of possible cooperation between China and Serbia. We expect that the economic part of the visit will also be very successful and full of announcements of new projects."
Serbian official, scholar upbeat about more Serbia-China cooperation
Serbian official, scholar upbeat about more Serbia-China cooperation
Flash floods have trapped Indonesians in West Sumatra in living nightmare, and evacuees are relying on local authorities for food and shelter after cold lava and flash floods destroyed their homestead on the night of May 4.
At least 67 were killed in West Sumatra in this tragic string of events. Some remain missing.
An elementary school Bukik Batabuah, Agam Regency was revamped into evacuation center for 50 families.
Kamilia, mother of two, lost her parents in this tragic event.
"My parents were killed. They were swept away by the strong flood current as far as 2 kilometers. A nephew of mine was swept away by the flood as far as 5 kilometers - he passed away," said Kamilia.
"I was at home with my daughter. When I heard a roaring sound, I knew that's a flood. I grabbed my child, but as I was trying to open the door to leave my room, I was swept by the flood water. It broke through the walls, bringing with it rock and wood debris," said Eva, another victim.
After the disaster, the two mothers lost their source of income. Though sheltered at the school, they still worried about how to make a living in the future.
Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, visited the shelter and commented on a possible relocation of the shelter for safety reasons.
"This has the potential, as seen on the map, to be on the path of cold lava flow. We hope residents living nearby - at least the elderly and the children - are evacuated. These are high-panic situations. There are elderly people and children here," she said
Efforts are being made in response to the emergency situation with data continuously updated.
Flash floods trap Indonesians in West Sumatra in living nightmare
