China and Serbia sign series of cooperation deals

China and Serbia signed more than 20 cooperative documents in the presence of both countries' presidents in Belgrade on Saturday.

Visiting President Xi Jinping and Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic signed a joint declaration to upgrade the bilateral ties to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the first one of its kind in Central and East Europe region. In 2009, Serbia became the first country in Central or Eastern Europe to establish a strategic partnership with China.

A number of cooperative documents covering areas including economic and trade, production capacity, and finance, were also signed on Saturday morning.

The two countries will enhance cooperation in key areas including infrastructure, industry and agriculture, Xi said while meeting the press after the signing ceremony.

China and Serbia should uphold the principle of mutual respect, treating each other equally and cooperate to achieve win-win results, Xi said, adding that the two sides should understand each others' core interests and major concerns.

China and Serbia are "all-weather friends" and have a "special brotherly bond," and both sides should expand their ties, Xi said.

To show his support for China-Serbia production capacity cooperation, Xi will visit the Smederevo Steelworks, which was acquired by China's HeSteel Group in April, on Sunday with both President Nikolic and Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic.

During his talks with Xi, Nikolic called for more cooperation with China to deepen the bilateral friendship established by several generations of leaders.

Noting that China has never invaded other countries in its history, Nikolic said that China is a great nation that loves peace and dislikes conflicts.

"The whole world should thank Chinese government and people for the contributions they made to world peace," he said.

Before meeting with the press, Xi received the Order of the Republic of Serbia on a Grand Collar, Serbia's highest award, from President Nikolic.

On Friday, Xi paid homage to the three Chinese journalists killed in the NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in the then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in May 1999.

To contact the reporter: anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn