Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to Serbia is widely anticipated by Serbian people, who believe the visit will promote bilateral cooperation between the two countries to new level, said Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic.
At the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron of France, President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia, and President Tamas Sulyok and Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary, Xi will pay a state visit to France, Serbia and Hungary from May 5 to 10.
Brnabic served as the Prime Minister of Serbia from 2017 to 2024. During her tenure, she actively promoted cooperation between Serbia and China in the political and economic fields and implemented a number of reforms and cooperation plans.
In an exclusive interview with China Central Television (CCTV) prior to Xi's upcoming visit, Brnabic said that every meeting with President Xi was unforgettable, as Xi always regards Serbia as an equal partner and has a deep understanding of Serbia, and such an impartial and far-sighted attitude is precious in achieving global stability.
"President Xi Jinping personally has fantastic knowledge and insight into everything that is happening in the Republic of Serbia, values and appreciates the Republic of Serbia as an equal partner, although, in terms of numbers, we can't compare. But that shows also, I would say, his personal commitment to global peace, equality and global security, which is much needed in today's world. In that respect, we have huge appreciation for the vision of leadership of President Xi Jinping," she said.
Brnabic said Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is very much looking forward to Xi's visit, which is expected to point out a direction for the development of relations between the two countries.
"I know how happy President Aleksandar Vucic is to be able to host President Xi Jinping for the second time. When President Xi visited Serbia for the first time, Aleksandar Vucic at that time was the Prime Minister, and now, [Vucic is] to host him as the president, being able to sign the great many of memorandums of understanding, cooperation agreements, which will also show us a path for our future collaboration," she said.
Since Xi's first visit to Serbia in 2016, the bilateral trade volume between China and Serbia has tripled. In 2023, China and Serbia signed the first free trade agreement, and Serbia became China's 29th free trade partner.
"China is open for business, and as Serbia, we have seen huge benefits. In 2023, China has become [became] our second largest trading partner, with a total trade of goods of 6.1 billion U.S. dollars, between China and Serbia, second only to Germany. That really shows that China is investing, but China is also open for other countries to export to China's vast markets. Obviously, it's of mutual benefit, and it's a win-win," Brnabic said.
Serbia is one of the first European countries to sign a Belt and Road cooperation document with China, and this year, another milestone project, the construction of the Serbian section of the Hungary-Serbia railway, will be completed, further bringing tangible benefits to the region, said Brnabic.
"Through the Belt and Road Initiative, almost all of our citizens were able to see tangible benefits of this collaboration between China and Serbia, through new bridges, improved roads, through new highways, and high-speed railways," she said.
Xi's visit to promote China-Serbia relations to new phase: parliament speaker
