Wang Yi: Friendship between Serbia and China forged in the fight for independence and sovereignty

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric held talks in Tianjin with Chinese Foreign Minister and member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Wang Yi, who emphasized that this year is an excellent year for China-Serbia relations. He noted that the two nations have built their friendship through a shared struggle to defend independence and sovereignty.

Wang asked Djuric to convey warm greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. He recalled Xi’s successful official visit to Serbia in May, during which the two leaders decided to build a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era and open a new chapter in bilateral relations.

“The traditional friendship between China and Serbia, forged through joint resistance against power and bullying, in the fight to defend independence and sovereignty, and nurtured through mutually beneficial cooperation and shared development, has withstood the tests of changing international relations. It will undoubtedly strengthen over time, making the two countries true ‘iron friends,’” Wang said, as reported by Global Times.

He stressed that China-Serbia relations align with the correct historical direction.

“We are ready to work together with Serbia to continuously create new opportunities for our bilateral relations,” Wang Yi emphasized.

He added that China is steadily advancing its high-level opening-up, which not only drives its development but also offers new opportunities for cooperation to countries worldwide, including Serbia.

“We invite Serbia to board the high-speed train of China’s development and work together to achieve modernization for both nations,” the Chinese minister said.

During the meeting, Djuric stated that the relationship with China is a cornerstone of Serbia’s diplomacy, and deepening cooperation with China has become a cross-party and societal consensus in Serbia.

He highlighted Serbia's support for enhancing cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries and expressed anticipation for close communication and coordination with the Chinese side to jointly address global challenges.

Djuric and Wang also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and the situation in the Middle East.