Spotlight: China's top legislator visits Serbia to deepen bilateral cooperation

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade, Serbia, July 18, 2017. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

BELGRADE, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese top legislator Zhang Dejiang and Serbian leaders have agreed to cement bilateral relations and expand cooperation between the two countries.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), paid an official friendly visit to Serbia on July 16-18, during which he met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Parliament Speaker Maja Gojkovic and Prime Minister Ana Brnabic.

During his meeting with Vucic, Zhang first conveyed greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Zhang highly appreciated the long-time friendship cultivated by the two peoples in history. He recalled that the two countries had established comprehensive strategic partnership during Xi's visit to Serbia last year.

The two countries reached a series of important consensuses on deepening bilateral ties and win-win cooperation in May, when Vucic came to Beijing for the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, Zhang said.

The China-Serbia relationship has now entered a new stage with an all-round and high-level development, Zhang stressed.

China regards Serbia as a reliable friend and stands ready to work together with Serbia to strengthen political mutual trust, push forward the win-win cooperation, enhance the friendship of the two peoples and increase communication and coordination over major international and regional issues, said Zhang.

For his part, Vucic asked Zhang to convey his best wishes to President Xi, saying that China and Serbia are reliable friends and partners, and the two peoples enjoy a sincere and solid friendship.

The Serbian president also expressed his thanks to China for its unwavering support, and said he will spare no efforts to develop bilateral friendly relationship and promote cooperation between the two countries.

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), holds talks with Serbian Parliament Speaker Maja Gojkovic in Belgrade, Serbia, July 16, 2017. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

During his meeting with Gojkovic, Zhang said contacts between the two countries' legislative bodies are an important part of the China-Serbia friendly relations.

The NPC is willing to work jointly with the Serbian national legislature to make full use of the advantages of the legislatures to exchange experiences, increase mutual understanding, and contribute to the consolidation and further development of China-Serbia friendship, said Zhang.

For her part, Gojkovic said the Serbian National Assembly attaches great importance to the development of the Serbia-China ties, makes it a priority to discuss and approve government-proposed cooperative deals with China, and has created a favorable legislative environment for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic in Belgrade, Serbia, July 17, 2017. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

During his meeting with Brnabic, Zhang said the two economies are highly complementary and there are many cases of successful cooperation.

China is willing to work jointly with the Central and Eastern European(CEE) countries, including Serbia, to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the CEE-China cooperative mechanism so as to realize common development, Zhang said.

For her part, Brnabic said the results of Serbia-China cooperation are inspiring and the bilateral cooperation bears great significance for the development of Serbia's economy and the improvement of people's livelihood.

The Serbian government will earnestly implement existing cooperative projects, actively explore new areas for cooperation and better play the role as a bridge between China and CEE countries, the prime minister said.

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), addresses a special session of the Serbian parliament in Serbia, July 17, 2017. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

The Chinese top legislator also addressed a special session of the Serbian parliament, in which he called for further efforts to lift the bilateral ties to a higher level.

During his stay in Serbia, Zhang also paid homage to the three Chinese journalists killed in the NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in May 1999. He also visited a steel mill and a power station, and met with a group of Serbian lawmakers.

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), visits a steel mill during his official friendly visit to Serbia, July 17, 2017. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), visits a power station during his official friendly visit to Serbia, July 17, 2017. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), meets with a group of Serbian lawmakers in Belgrade, Serbia, July 18, 2017. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), and Serbian Parliament Speaker Maja Gojkovic sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between China's NPC and Serbian National Assembly after their talks in Belgrade, Serbia, July 16, 2017. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)