Printer Friendly Version Visit of the first Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic to the People’s Republic of China 26-28 February 2020 @ 3 March 2020 08:43 AM

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic paid a visit to the People’s Republic of China 26-28 February 2020, during which he met with State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Vice President Wang Qishan and Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Song Tao.

At the meeting with Minister Wang Yi, it was emphasized that it was the first visit of a foreign minister to China since the outbreak of the epidemic, which the Chinese side greatly appreciates. Wang Yi said that Serbia and China have common interests, sharing wheal and woe. As partners in the joint construction of Belt and Road and the China-CEEC mechanism, the two countries are leading in joint projects in the CEEC region. Minister Dacic noted that China's efforts to curb the epidemic are highly admired in Serbia. He also expressed his confidence that the current situation will be overcome in the shortest possible time and that China will return in full capacity to its development goals. He condemned the politicization of the epidemic in the Western media that is used as anti-China views. The progress of bilateral relations and mutual political trust is highly appreciated, which will be further boosted by the forthcoming visit of the President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic in April for attending the China-CEEC Summit, as well as President Xi's visit to Serbia this year.

On the second day of his visit to Beijing, Minister Dacic met with Vice President Wang Qishan. Minister Dacic expressed his solidarity with China and his belief that the current situation will not obstruct China's developmental plans. During the meeting, it was reiterated that the bilateral relations are exceptionally good, characterized by the level of comprehensive strategic partnership, solidified by „iron friendship“, mutual support in matters of vital interest, as well as the active presence of Chinese companies in Serbia. Vice President Wang said that the fight to have the coronavirus epidemic put under control was also the fight for the security and good health of the Chinese people, but of the global community as a whole, too, given that the efforts made by China started to show results, thus allowing many countries to save precious time. Minister Dacic invited Vice President Wang to pay a visit to Serbia.

Minister Dacic also met with Song Tao, Minister of the International Liaison Department of the CPC. The two ministers expressed their pleasure with the very high quality of the relations between the two countries. which are boosted by inter-party relations. Minister Dacic expressed his hope that China would win the fight against the epidemic in the immediate future. Minister Song expressed his gratitude to Minister Dacic for visiting China at such a difficult moment in time.

During the talks with the Chinese hosts, support for China in the fight against the epidemic and appreciation for principled support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia when it comes to solving Kosovo's problems were underlined. In the same time, it was reiterated that Serbia firmly upholds the „One China“ principle and supports China when it comes to issues related to China's core interests and major concerns such as Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong issues.