Vucic: China's support to Serbia on Kosovo-Metohija issue extremely important

BEIJING - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said at a meeting with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday the friendship between the two countries had endured the test of difficult times and that, amid a very complex situation in Kosovo-Metohija, China's support to Serbia was extremely important.

"My plea, Mr President, is that, due to the very complex situation we have in the region and in Kosovo-Metohija, in a part of Serbian territory, I may have an additional opportunity to inform you of that because the support of the Repubic of China - political and any other - is extremely important to us. My plea to you is to encourage even more strongly the arrival of Chinese businesspeople and Chinese tourists," Vucic said at the meeting with Xi.

He also reiterated his greatest plea - an invitation to Xi to pay a visit to Serbia again.

"We eagerly await it and we believe we will welcome you in the best possible way because we now know all the things China has done for Serbia, and I ask you to consider again the possibility of visiting our country," Vucic said, thanking Xi for his hospitality.

He said Serbia was the only country in Europe that had never joined any declaration against China.

"I am very happy, honoured and privileged to have the opportunity to speak with you here today. The largest part of the Serbian government - nearly all ministers - are accompanying me on this visit, which speaks of our attitude towards China and the respect we have, as well as of our expectations," Vucic told Xi.

He agreed with Xi's statement that the Sino-Serbian friendship had stood the test of difficult times.

"And I must say that, amid pressure on the Republic of Serbia that is not small, our country is the only country in Europe that has never joined declarations criticising or attacking China on any issue. When it comes to Hong Kong, Tibet, Xinjiang, Taiwan or any other issue, we have always been on the side of China and the One China policy, and that will remain so," Vucic said.

He also said Serbia was seeing progress in all areas of social life and that the Belt and Road initiative, launched by Xi, had brought much good to Serbian citizens.

"We have done very important infrastructure works in our country and they are still underway, we are building roads and rail lines together," Vucic said.

He noted that Serbia supported China's initiatives on global development, global security and a global civilisation.