Xi says ready to map out new blueprint for development of China-Serbia ties with Vucic

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that he stands ready to work with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to map out a new blueprint for the development of bilateral relations, in a written speech delivered on his arrival in Belgrade for a state visit to the Balkan country.

China and Serbia enjoy a profound traditional friendship which has stood the test of changing international circumstances, setting an example for state-to-state relations, Xi said.

Since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries in 2016, bilateral ties have grown by leaps and bounds and made historic achievements, he noted.

The two countries have built solid political mutual trust, achieved fruitful outcomes in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, realized full mutual visa exemption, launched direct air routes, and signed a free trade agreement, with their people-to-people exchanges becoming closer and the ironclad friendship taking deep roots in the heart of the people, Xi said.

China and Serbia firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns, jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, and have made positive contributions to promoting world peace and development, he said.

China-Serbia cooperation, based on equality and mutual benefit, serves the fundamental and long-term interests of the two countries, Xi said, adding that it has injected strong impetus into their respective development and revitalization, brought benefits to the two peoples, and contributed to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

At a new historical threshold, China stands ready to work with Serbia to stay true to its original aspiration and forge ahead hand in hand to open up new prospects for cooperation featuring stronger impetus, wider areas and higher quality, he said.

Xi said he looks forward to taking this visit as an opportunity to have an in-depth exchange of views with President Vucic on bilateral relations and other issues of common concern, renew friendships, discuss cooperation and seek common development, so as to map out a new blueprint for the development of bilateral ties.

Xi's state visit to Serbia is the second leg of his three-nation European tour from May 5 to 10, after he wrapped up a state visit to France earlier on Tuesday.

He will also pay a state visit to Hungary.

Xi says ready to map out new blueprint for development of China-Serbia ties with Vucic

Xi says ready to map out new blueprint for development of China-Serbia ties with Vucic

Xi says ready to map out new blueprint for development of China-Serbia ties with Vucic

Xi says ready to map out new blueprint for development of China-Serbia ties with Vucic

Xi says ready to map out new blueprint for development of China-Serbia ties with Vucic

Xi says ready to map out new blueprint for development of China-Serbia ties with Vucic

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on Saturday in Dushanbe, with both sides pledging to expand bilateral cooperation in various areas.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings and good wishes to Rahmon.

Wang noted that China and Tajikistan, linked by mountains and rivers, have cultivated a profound traditional friendship. The two sides have always respected each other, and treated each other as equals, extended mutual support at critical moments.

In May last year, Rahmon attended the China-Central Asia Summit and paid a state visit to China, during which the two heads of state jointly announced the building of a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future featuring everlasting friendship, solidarity and mutual benefit.

This set a clear goal for the development of bilateral relations and sent a positive signal to the two peoples and the world, said Wang.

China will continue to firmly support Tajikistan in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and firmly oppose external interference in Tajikistan's internal affairs, said Wang, stressing that no matter how the international situation changes, China will always be Tajikistan's trustworthy friend and partner.

For his part, Rahmon asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings to Xi.

He said that during his visit to China last year, he and Xi had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral cooperation and reached a series of consensuses.

With the joint efforts of the two sides, these consensuses are being implemented and important results have been achieved in cooperation in various fields, he said.

Rahmon stressed that promoting relations with China is a priority of Tajikistan's foreign policy. The Tajik side firmly upholds the one-China principle and holds that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.

Tajikistan, Rahmon said, hopes to keep close high-level exchanges with China, strengthen cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, energy, minerals, transportation, agriculture, green industry and artificial intelligence, jointly combat the "three forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and constantly expand and strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between Tajikistan and China.

The Tajik president noted that China plays an important role in international and regional affairs, and Tajikistan is willing to closely coordinate with China and support each other on multilateral platforms.

Wang said that China firmly supports the four development strategies of energy, transportation, food and industrialization proposed by the Tajik president, attaches importance to Tajikistan's cooperation needs, and is committed to expanding cooperation in emerging industries and helping Tajikistan improve economic development.

China is willing to deepen security cooperation with Tajikistan and resolutely combat all forms of terrorism, said Wang, adding that the two sides can strengthen cooperation in the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the China-Central Asia mechanism, safeguard the common interests of the two countries and other developing countries, and make due contributions to the prosperity and stability of the region and the world at large.

During his visit, Wang also held talks with Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin on Sunday.

China, Tajikistan vow to elevate cooperation