Expanding mutual tourism with China key to deepening future exchanges: Serbian minister

Expanding mutual tourism is vital for strengthening future China-Serbia relations, emphasized Goran Josipovic, Serbia's Acting Assistant Minister of Tourism and Youth, during his visit to Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, in east China.

The upcoming China-CEEC Expo and International Consumer Goods Fair aims to enhance trade and foster cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC). The event highlights the importance of these partnerships in driving economic and cultural exchanges.

Taking place in Ningbo from May 22 to 25, the 4th China-CEEC Expo and International Consumer Goods Fair is set to bring greater focus to Central and Eastern Europe. Serbia will showcase its unique offerings, ranging from handcrafted aromatherapy products to authentic spirits and coffee, illustrating the diversity of its cultural heritage.

"The purpose of our visit here is to promote the Serbian merchandise here in China, and more Serbian goods to be sold in China. And also to have more Chinese tourists visiting Serbia. In the past three to four years, Chinese tourists visit Serbia in large numbers, and Serbian tourism depends upon the Chinese tourists. Having more Chinese tourists visiting Serbia is very important for us, for our economy, and our overall trade with China. Thanks to our two presidents Xi Jinping and Aleksandar Vucic, the steel friendship between the two countries continues to strengthen in the areas of economy, trade and tourism. I hope that in the time to come, more Chinese tourists would visit Serbia, but also Serbian tourists to visit China," said Josipovic.

The 4th China-CEEC Expo demonstrates the shared commitment to nurturing vibrant cultural and economic connections, paving the way for a prosperous future between China and Serbia.

Expanding mutual tourism with China key to deepening future exchanges: Serbian minister

Hungarians voted in parliamentary elections on Sunday, with about 8.1 million people eligible to cast ballots, according to the National Election Office.

Polls opened at 06:00 local time and closed at 19:00, with initial results expected late on Sunday evening.

Of the total, about 7.6 million voters were eligible to cast ballots in person at more than 10,000 polling stations nationwide, while some 500,000 were eligible to vote by mail.

Five parties or alliances are competing in the election. The latest opinion polls showed strong support for both Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling Fidesz-Christian Democratic People's Party alliance and the opposition Tisza party led by Peter Magyar.

Among smaller parties, the far-right Our Homeland Movement is seen as having a chance to enter parliament, while others, including the Democratic Coalition and the Hungarian Two-Tailed Dog Party, are widely viewed as unlikely to cross the threshold.

This election marks Orban's fourth parliamentary race since returning to power in 2010, with the outcome set to determine whether he can secure a fifth consecutive term.

Under Hungary's electoral law, parliamentary elections are held every four years. The Hungarian parliament has 199 seats, including 106 filled through direct elections in single-member constituencies and 93 allocated to parties that enter parliament. The party or alliance that secures a majority of seats has the right to form a government.

Hungarians vote in parliamentary elections