Đurić: The friendship between Serbia and China is visible at every step today

Extending words of appreciation to the host institution—the Archives of Yugoslavia and its Director, Dr. Milan Terzić—as well as to the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Belgrade, H.E. Li Ming, for their wholehearted engagement in commemorating this important jubilee, Minister Đurić expressed satisfaction at having the opportunity to open an exhibition of archival documents whose careful selection reflects the long and rich tradition and history of relations between the two countries, as well as the development of their comprehensive cooperation.

“The exhibition I have the honour to open today beautifully illustrates the depth of the ties and the richness of the shared history between Serbia and China. Since the establishment of relations in January 1955, our two countries have nurtured friendship and partnership. In this context, we owe special gratitude to our first ambassadors in China and in Serbia, Vladimir Popović and Wu Xiuquan, whose immeasurable contribution laid the foundations for cooperation in those early days and years,” the Minister emphasized.

According to him, today’s gathering evokes the well-known Chinese proverb that a journey of a hundred miles begins with a single step.

“This exhibition is not only a look into the past; it is also a bridge linking 1955 with the present day, in which Serbia and China stand side by side, bound by deep trust and mutual understanding. It is my pleasure to underline that relations between Serbia and China have reached their highest level in history, to the extent that they may rightly be described as more than friendly. A significant role in this friendship is played by the personal relationship between the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, whose close communication and mutual trust provide strong impetus for further deepening cooperation in all fields,” Đurić said.

Serbia is proud, he continued, to be China’s first comprehensive strategic partner in Central and Eastern Europe and the first European country to build, together with China, a community of shared future in the new era—representing the highest form of cooperation that any European state maintains with China.

“In this jubilee year, two high-level visits—the visit of President Aleksandar Vučić to Beijing in September and the visit of Prime Minister Đuro Macut to Shanghai in November—have reaffirmed the strength and continuity of our partnership, grounded in mutual respect, support, and understanding. I would also like to highlight the historic visit of President Xi Jinping to Belgrade in May 2024, which gave fresh impetus to the overall development of Serbian-Chinese relations,” the Minister stated.

He additionally expressed gratitude for the warm and gracious hospitality extended during his own visit to Beijing at the end of 2024, during which he also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi.

The Serbian Foreign Minister stressed that Serbia and China proudly support each other on issues of vital national interest, particularly with regard to respect for the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, and the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Serbia is deeply grateful for the firm, principled, and consistent policy of the People’s Republic of China concerning the territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia—an issue of paramount national importance for our country. For its part, Serbia will continue to unwaveringly support the ‘One China’ principle and the concept of ‘one country, two systems’,” Đurić underscored.

The friendship between Serbia and China, he noted, is today visible at every step.

“Together, we have built numerous roads and transport links throughout Serbia. Among many important projects in the economic, infrastructure, and energy sectors, the modernization of the Belgrade–Budapest railway line holds particular significance. One of the symbols of our cooperation is the Pupin Bridge over the Danube—the first Chinese-built bridge in Europe. Serbia has become an important participant in the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, which we have supported since its launch in 2013, as well as in the China–Central and Eastern Europe cooperation mechanism,” Đurić recalled.

He added that even closer ties between the two states and peoples will be further strengthened through the work of the Serbian Cultural Center “Ivo Andrić” in Beijing and the Chinese Cultural Center in Belgrade, through numerous cultural events and the promotion of the traditions of both countries.

The Serbian Foreign Minister expressed gratitude to all who, over the past seven decades, contributed to building the shared history of the peoples of Serbia and China.

“I am confident that future generations will continue to nurture the exceptional ties between our two countries, building a future in which Serbia and China remain steadfast and reliable partners, both in bilateral cooperation and on the international stage. Recalling the Chinese proverb that says: ‘If you have a true friend, even one at the end of the world is as near as if he were beside you,’ I invite you to join me in celebrating and exploring the history of Serbian-Chinese friendship. Long live Serbia and China, and the friendship and partnership between our states and our peoples!” concluded Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Đurić.

On this occasion, Minister Đurić presented Ambassador Li Ming with a framed copy of a personalized postage stamp issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Public Enterprise “Post of Serbia,” to mark 70 years of friendship between Serbia and China.