Wang Yi Speaks with Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic on the Phone

On April 8, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic.

Selakovic first conveyed President Aleksandar Vucic's sincere greetings to President Xi Jinping, thanked President Xi Jinping for promptly sending a congratulatory message to President Vucic on his re-election, wishes the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China a complete success, and expressed confidence that China will make greater achievements under President Xi Jinping's leadership. Serbia is proud of the profound traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with China and thanks China for firmly supporting Serbia in safeguarding its core interests. Serbia also firmly supports China in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity, and opposes any attempt to split China.

Selakovic said, Serbia and China have overcome the impact of the turbulence in the international situation and made steady progress in bilateral cooperation. The two countries have fostered high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, with the Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Belgrade-Budapest railway being open to traffic successfully and economic and trade cooperation yielding unprecedented results. Chinese enterprises have actively participated in Serbia's national construction and played an indispensable role in Serbia's economic and social development. Serbia is ready to deepen its "iron-clad friendship" with China and join hands to meet challenges.

Wang Yi conveyed President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings and best wishes to President Vucic. Wang Yi said, President Xi Jinping promptly sent a congratulatory message to President Vucic on his re-election, fully demonstrating the high level of mutual trust and profound friendship between the two heads of state. As a long-term and reliable "iron-clad friend" and comprehensive strategic partner of Serbia, China will firmly support Serbia in safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity, pursuing an independent foreign policy, and making judgments and decisions in accordance with the fundamental interests of the country and the nation. China is opposed to external forces exerting political pressure on sovereign states and asking other countries to take sides by coercion. China will also continue to stand together with Serbia to render mutual support on international and multilateral platforms, including resisting attempts to politicize and instrumentalize human rights affairs.

Wang Yi said, China is ready to work with Serbia to step up the implementation of the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, speed up the construction of the Novi Sad-Subotica section of the Budapest-Belgrade railway, support key cooperative enterprises' sound operation and development, and sign the bilateral free trade agreement at an early date, so as to inject strong impetus into cooperation and help Serbia further enhance its competitiveness.

Selakovic said, Serbia is firmly committed to upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and will not abandon its true friends. China has always upheld a fair and just position in international affairs and actively promoted peace talks. Serbia highly appreciates this.

Wang Yi stressed, under the current circumstances, the international community should be highly vigilant against the resurgence of the Cold War mentality and jointly resist attempts to divide the world. Serbia faces a complex and volatile external environment, but as long as it stays focused and sticks to development, it will be able to overcome difficulties and obstacles on its way forward. China believes that Serbia has the wisdom and capability to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.

Both sides believe that the phone conversation is very timely and necessary. Both China and Serbia are full of confidence in the future of bilateral relations and will continue to firmly support each other and push for new progress in the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.