Xi's Serbia visit to lift ties, deepen practical cooperation: Chinese FM

Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Serbia will boost relations between the two countries and deepen their practical cooperation in various fields, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Friday.

The traditional friendship between China and Serbia, which has withstood the test of time, is now deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples, Wang said during talks with Ivica Dacic, Serbia's first deputy prime minister and foreign minister.

Wang said that China has always been supportive of Serbia's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, adding that his country appreciates Serbia's support in the South China Sea issue as well as other ones concerning China's core interests.

The Chinese diplomat also spoke highly of the Smederevo steel mill deal, hailing it as a flagship project of the China-Serbia practical cooperation.

The project is bound to bring more jobs to the Serbian people, improve people's livelihood, rev up Serbia's process of industrialization and strengthen the Balkan country's capability of independent development, Wang said.

Against a backdrop of a weak global economy, the Chinese foreign minister said, the Smederevo project sends out a positive signal to Europe as well as the world that challenges can be overcome by cooperation.

The Smederevo steel mill, founded in 1913 and once labeled "the pride of Serbia," is the country's only steel mill. Facing difficulties in its operation, the plant was acquired by China's HeSteel Group for 46 million euros (51.6 million U.S. dollars) in April this year.

For his part, Dacic said Xi's state visit is of historical significance, adding that the Serbian government attaches great importance to relations with China and is ready to become China's best friend in Europe.

Serbia appreciates China's support and understanding in the Kosovo issue, Dacic said, adding that his country will continue to uphold the one-China policy.

Fruitful cooperations have been carried out under the China-CEE (Central and Eastern Europe) cooperation framework, Dacic noted, adding that the Smederevo project will play an important role in the country's economic development.

Serbia stands ready to further enhance practical cooperation with China in various areas, said Dacic.

Invited by his Serbian counterpart Tomislav Nikolic, Xi arrived in the country earlier in the day for a state visit, which is the first one by a Chinese head of state to Serbia in 32 years. Endi