Xi eyes increased business links with Serbia

President Xi Jinping has proposed more cooperation on major projects with Serbia ahead of his state visit to Belgrade.

A worker adjusts Chinese and Serbian flags for the upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping on the site of what used to be China's embassy, which was destroyed in NATO's 1999 bombing campaign, in Belgrade, Serbia June 16, 2016.  [Photo/Agencies]

China wants to share development opportunities and achievements with Serbia, Xi said in an article published by Politika, a daily Serbian newspaper.

The two countries should increase bilateral trade and investment to benefit people in both nations, Xi said.

Describing Serbia as an "eternal friend and sincere partner" of China, he highlighted the bilateral friendship that dates to the 1950s when China established diplomatic ties with Yugoslavia.

"There is a saying in Serbia that friends are the fruits of time," Xi said in his article.

The two countries will sign a number of cooperation documents covering areas including economic affairs, trade, production capacity and finance, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Denis Depoux, deputy president of Roland Berger Strategy Consultants for Asia, said Serbia is one of the hot spots for investments in Europe, as the country seeks to join the European Union.