Photo:Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China

China and Serbia agreed to further support and expand cooperation mechanism between China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) as Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday held talks with his Serbian counterpart Nikola Selakovic.

China and Serbia agreed to expand cooperation in infrastructure, 5G construction and the Beijing Winter Olympics, as they reached six points of consensus in talks held in Guiyang, capital city of Southwest China's Guizhou Province.

The two agreed to continue to support the development and growth of the China-CEEC cooperation mechanism, strengthen coordination in international and regional affairs, jointly safeguard multilateralism and the international system with the UN at its core, and contribute to the building of a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind.

China-CEEC cooperation focuses on pragmatic economic and trade cooperation, which does not involve the field of defense and security, has never had geostrategic intentions, and has no intention of engaging in any sphere of influence, Wang said. 

Wang emphasized that whether it is bilateral relations, China-CEEC relations, or China-EU relations as a whole, they are platforms for dialogue, exchanges, and cooperation between the Chinese and European people. 

Wang and his counterpart Selakovic agreed to jointly promote the "Belt and Road" and landmark cooperation projects such as infrastructure construction, energy, and production capacity, and strive to realize the construction of the Hungary-Serbia Railway in Serbia at an early date.

The two said that both countries will continuously explore new potentials for bilateral cooperation, such as artificial intelligence and digital economy. China appreciates Serbia's objective and fair stance and continues to support Chinese enterprises in participating in Serbia's 5G network construction.

"When new China was founded, I don't know if anyone believed at that time that this country would conquer Mars in a matter of 70-odd years," Selakovic said during his visit to China.

"China's remarkable transformation can be attributed to the leadership of the CPC, a feat that has won admiration worldwide," he said.

Wang said that Serbia is China's "iron-clad" friend in Europe. In recent years, the leaders of the two countries jointly led the China-Serbia comprehensive strategic partnership to an unprecedented high level.

Global Times