Vucic meets with Chinese ambassador ahead of visit to Beijing

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic received Chinese Ambassador to Belgrade Li Ming ahead of a trip to China, and noted that he looked forward to meeting with President Xi Jinping again and that the support and friendship demonstrated by the Chinese leader towards Serbia remained a lasting testimony to the steely relations between the two countries.

Vucic said the final preparations were underway for his visit to China, which he noted would undoubtedly be the most important trip abroad in his political career.

"I especially noted that, for Serbia, it is exceptionally important to build strong partnerships with friendly countries that respect our independence, development and our right to our own path in a time of deep global changes, when the world is facing economic pressures, security challenges and growing uncertainty," Vucic posted on his buducnostsrbijeav Instagram account.

He stressed that he was endlessly grateful for the enormous honour and privilege of being Xi's guest again, as well as for everything the Chinese president had done for Serbia and its people.

"I noted that the support and friendship he has demonstrated towards our country remain a lasting testimony to the steely ties between Serbia and China as well as to the deep mutual trust that is a part of our nation's respect for the great Chinese nation and that will remain a strong foundation for the generations to come," Vucic wrote in the post.

He added that, in the discussion with the ambassador, he had reiterated that everything the two countries had built together, from infrastructure and industrial projects to political understanding and support at the most important times, represented the proof of a sincere friendship that had stood the test of time and major global challenges.

"We also discussed the meetings I will have during my stay in China, as well as visits to industry and business giants, which is invaluable to us since, today, China is a model of what a strong and stable economy should be, as well as an example of a principled state that, through its consistent positions, prudent policy and enormous international reputation, invests serious efforts towards peace, stability and cooperation in the world, needed by the humanity today more than ever before," Vucic noted.

He added that Serbia admired China's model of development and continued to build relations based on trust, mutual respect and a shared vision of the future.

Vucic to pay official visit to China on May 24-28

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will be on an official visit to China from May 24 through 28, the presidential press office announced on Wednesday.

Vucic will be visiting the country at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, the office said in a statement.