Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning Photo:fmprc.gov.cn

China and Serbia, as reliable and trustworthy partners, have witnessed the rapid development of economic and trade cooperation over the past decade, which has brought tangible benefits to peoples in both countries, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

The comment came after Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić applauded China's efforts in advancing high-level opening-up that provided opportunities for development for many countries, according to China Media Group (CMG).

Brnabić said in a recent interview that Serbia's exports to China increased 152 times during the past decade, with bilateral trade in 2021 reaching 5 billion euros ($4.85 billion) despite the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At a regular press conference on Wednesday, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, said that China has become a major trading partner of not just Serbia, but more than 130 countries and regions.

"Over the past decade, China's trade in goods totaled 262.3 trillion yuan ($36.6 trillion), of which imports accounted for 117.6 trillion yuan and registered an average annual growth rate of 4.7 percent," Mao said.

Trade volume between China and Serbia Graphic: Xia Qing/ GT

Moreover, China has utilized $1.2 trillion of foreign investment, with an annual growth rate of 5 percent. The country is now ranked third with its over $2.7 trillion capital stock of direct investment overseas, Mao said.

"China is making important and visible contributions to promoting global economic growth and building an open world economy," the spokesperson said.

While unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, putting pressure on the global economy, China will always support economic globalization, unswervingly promote high-level opening-up, and "provide more market, investment and growth opportunities for companies of all countries," Mao said.

China and Serbia have been enhancing cooperation in various areas from epidemic prevention to infrastructure construction and business investments.

Two subsidiaries of Zijin Mining in the Serbian city Bor were given the Outstanding Contribution Award by local authorities recently. The Chinese mining giant's companies in the city have offered jobs to about 7,000 local residents, according to a statement released by Zijin Mining.

Zijin's investment in Serbia has boosted the mining sector's share of Serbian GDP to 2.6 percent this year from 1.9 percent last year, the statement said, citing Serbian officials.

The two countries launched their first direct flights in July, from Beijing to Belgrade, capital of Serbia. 

Global Times