Chinese VP, Serbian president meet on ties

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States, Sept. 21, 2023. [Xinhua/Gao Jie]

NEW YORK -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday, reiterating a pledge for mutual support between the two countries while expressing the willingness to bring bilateral ties to a new level.

Meeting Vucic on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Han said China and Serbia are "ironclad friends" who have come together through thick and thin.

Led by the strategic guidance from Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Vucic, China-Serbia cooperation in various areas has yielded fruitful outcomes, Han said.

China is willing to work with the Serbian side to implement the important consensus reached between the two heads of state, firmly support each other on issues related to their respective core interests and grave concerns, Han said.

He added that China is willing to continuously deepen political mutual trust with Serbia, expand practical cooperation, and bring bilateral relations to a new level.

Vucic said that Serbia is China's loyal and reliable friend, and firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests. The Serbian side is ready to promote practical cooperation with China in all sectors under the framework of jointly building the Belt and Road, and strive for the advancement of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. 

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States, Sept. 21, 2023. [Xinhua/Gao Jie]