Joint Statement of the President of the Republic of Serbia and the President of the People's Republic of China
"At the invitation of President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping paid an official visit to the Republic of Serbia on 7-8 May 2024.
During the visit, the two heads of state had talks in a warm and friendly atmosphere and exchanged views in detail about the relations between Serbia and China, the deepening of comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, the joint development of the "Belt and Road" initiative, cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries, relations between China and Europe, as well as on international and regional issues of common interest, and reached a broad consensus on these issues.
The two sides agreed that Serbia and China have been fostering strong traditional friendship, intensive cooperation in specific areas, fruitful coordination on a multilateral level, and that the development of bilateral relations has broad perspectives. Despite the differences in history, culture and domestic situation, both countries adhere to the spirit of openness and cooperation, the principles of justice and fairness, stand for the well-being of people and national prosperity, as well as for the noble goal of peaceful development of humankind. Serbia and China believe that the development and progress of one country represent an opportunity, instead of a challenge for other countries in the world. The Serbian side supports efforts to build a community with a common future for humanity, and is ready to implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative together with the Chinese side.
The two sides exchanged views on the results achieved so far, which additionally contributed to the strengthening of ironclad friendship between the two peoples. The further deepening of bilateral relations that followed after the signing of the "Joint Statement of the Republic of Serbia and the People's Republic of China on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" from 2016 was praised by both sides, and the deepening and raising of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Serbia and China, as well as the building of the Serbia-China community with a shared future in the new era, was agreed upon, proceeding from the principles of independence, mutual respect and trust, cooperation and joint victory, joint development and mutual support, in order to achieve the well-being of the peoples of our two countries, making a new contribution to peace and progress of humanity. The two sides state as follows:
The Chinese side highly values the results achieved by Serbia in the overall economic and social development and improvement of living standards, looks forward to the successful promotion of Serbia's development plans such as "Leap into the Future - Serbia 2027", the fulfillment of all set goals within the stipulated timeframe, as well as the development of Serbia and the well-being of the Serbian people.
The Serbian side highly values the historic achievements and historic changes that China has recorded in the new era, with the wish that the Chinese people build a great modern socialist country in all aspects, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and fulfill the Second Centenary Goal. The Serbian side supports the Chinese side in advancing the development of China as a great modern country in every aspect and achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through the Chinese path to modernization.
The two sides believe that intensive political dialogue at the highest level is essential for the further strengthening of relations between Serbia and China. It was agreed to continue intensive contacts between the two heads of state through mutual meetings, telephone conversations and exchange of letters.
The two sides expressed their desire to make maximum use of mechanisms such as the Commission on Cooperation between the National People's Congress of China and the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, the Intergovernmental Joint Commission on Economic and Commercial Cooperation and the Joint Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between Serbia and China, to strengthen communication and cooperation at all levels and in all areas, with the aim of a further continued deepening of the friendship between Serbia and China.
The two sides will firmly support each other in matters of vital state interest on the basis of principles of respect for state sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states.
The Serbian side reaffirmed that the development of friendly relations with the People's Republic of China is one of the main pillars of its foreign policy. It reiterated its firm support for the one-China principle, stressing that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, as well as that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing all of China. The Serbian side opposes all forms of "Taiwan independence" and interference in China's internal affairs, stressing again that it will not engage in official contacts with the authorities of Taiwan in any way, and that it firmly supports all the efforts made by the Chinese Government in order to unify the country.
The two sides oppose the imposition of any solution to the final status of "Kosovo". All interested parties should reach a mutually acceptable solution within the framework of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999), through dialogue and consultation. In that process, the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Serbia need to be fully respected. The Chinese side supports the efforts to find compromise solutions in a peaceful way, which the Republic of Serbia is undertaking in negotiations with the representatives of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government of "Kosovo", and calls for the implementation of all agreements reached within the Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, as well as for the effective provision of security to the religious and cultural heritage in that area. The formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities is an important part of the 2013 Brussels Agreement and needs to be implemented.
China understands the aspiration of Serbia to become a member of the European Union and welcomes Serbia's policy aimed at developing friendly relations with all countries and its commitment to promoting cooperation in the region.
The two sides will make use of the new phase of high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, jointly implement the agreements reached at the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, deepen and expand cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, investment, science and technology, innovation, the digital sector, as well as information and communications, jointly preserve the security of projects and company personnel, which will contribute to creating the basis for building a Serbia-China community with a shared future in the new era.
The two sides will actively work on the implementation of the "Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the People's Republic of China" and the "Mid-Term Action Plan for Belt and Road Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the People's Republic of China (2023-2025)", which were signed in October 2023 in Beijing.
The two sides welcome the positive trend in the development of trade between Serbia and China and express their desire to encourage the balanced development of bilateral trade. The Chinese side has expressed its readiness to increase the import of quality agricultural products and other products from Serbia and speed up the approval of permits for inspection and quarantine for special categories of agricultural products and products of animal origin. The two sides have expressed their desire to increase the use of freight trains between China and Europe. The Chinese side is interested in transporting a higher quantity of quality products from Serbia to the Chinese market by freight trains between China and Europe.
The two sides highly value the positive results achieved in cooperation in the field of infrastructure construction, they welcome the promotion of the "Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation in the field of infrastructure between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the People's Republic of China". At the same time, they will continue to strengthen practical cooperation in areas such as the construction of transport infrastructure, connectivity, clean energy, industrial investments, agriculture, zones of economic and trade cooperation.
The two sides believe that the project to modernize the Serbia-Hungary railway line is of great importance for the improvement of the connection between Serbia and the region, which opens up new perspectives for the facilitated movement of people, increasing the turnover of goods and economic exchange in the region. The two sides highly value the results achieved in the construction of the Serbian section of the railway and will continue to make efforts to complete this section within the stipulated timeframe, raising regional connectivity to a higher level. The Chinese side is ready to encourage its companies to further participate in regional connectivity projects, on the basis of commercial and market principles. The two sides are willing to increase cooperation aimed at ensuring safety on railway sections in the territory of Serbia.
The two sides attach great importance to cooperation in the field of healthcare and biotechnology. The Chinese side is ready to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation with the Serbian side in the field of disease prevention and control, emergency health situations, telemedicine and traditional medicine, and to jointly advance the development of a global health community for all. The Chinese side is ready to actively participate in the development of relevant projects within the biotechnology campus in Serbia.
The two sides emphasized that it is necessary to respect the international order, based on international law and the Charter of the United Nations, while adhering to the principles of independence, equality, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, and advocating for multilateral cooperation with the United Nations at the core, while preserving true multilateralism.
The two sides call for an equitable and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, they insist that all countries, regardless of size, be treated as equals, opposing hegemony and power politics, as well as all forms of unilateralism and protectionism.
The two sides believe that this state visit by President Xi Jinping to the Republic of Serbia, as well as fruitful talks between the two heads of state, are of great importance for the further development of friendly relations between Serbia and China."
President Xi Jinping expressed his sincere gratitude for the ceremonial, cordial and friendly welcome by President Aleksandar Vucic and the Serbian people. He invited President Aleksandar Vucic to visit China again. President Aleksandar Vucic expressed his gratitude and gladly accepted the invitation for a visit.
Source: predsednik.rs
Photo: MFA/Tanjug
