President Xi Jinping arrived in Belgrade for a state visit to Serbia on May 7, 2024 at the invitation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
President Xi Jinping’s six-day visit to Europe has opened a new chapter in relations with China’s key partners, and according to senior diplomats and analysts, the visit marks the beginning of a new relationship with Europe through solidarity, mutual trust and confidence.
Xi’s visit to France, Serbia and Hungary from May 5 to 10, which included more than 30 diplomatic relations with the leaders of the three countries, was very successful, and the results and importance exceeded the bilateral level.
The president’s visit to France laid the groundwork for reaffirming longstanding cooperation.
In an interview with reporters after the visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and French President Emmanuel Macron said that they have reached several agreements to develop bilateral relations, while also agreeing to strengthen the strategic stability of bilateral relations and take advantage of the great potential. . a mutually beneficial partnership.
The meeting between the two heads of state in Tourmalet – President Macron’s beloved Pyrenees mountain range which his mother loved to see as a child – was a highlight of Xi’s trip to France.
Wang said the prolonged talks in the Pyrenees added an unforgettable chapter to exchanges between the Chinese and French leaders.
The Chinese president’s visit to the Serbian capital Belgrade and the Hungarian capital Budapest strengthened relations with China’s two main European partners. It has signed numerous bilateral agreements to promote economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges.
In Belgrade, Xi and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić signed a joint statement on building a Sino-Serbian community with a common future in the new era, with China outlining six steps, including a free trade agreement and greater opening. direct flight.
The highlight of the trip was when about 20,000 people gathered in front of the Serbian Palace to welcome the Chinese president, and the crowd raised the flags of the two countries and cheered for China.
“This moment brings out the true feelings of the Serbian people towards the Chinese people and their deep respect for President Xi,” Wang said.
Traditional friendship was established in Budapest when the two countries pledged to build a climate-friendly strategic partnership for a new era.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto described the visit as “an important moment in bilateral relations” and said that the development of bilateral relations shows that the country’s China policy is correct.
“We are very happy with Chinese investments in Hungary. We encourage more because they are modern, sophisticated investments that create many jobs. It is good for our national economy, good for our people and our families,” he said.
Szijjarto said Hungary, which holds the rotating presidency of the European Union from July 1, refuses to “take risks” or solve the problem.
“We don’t see China as a threat. We don’t want the world to be divided into two groups anymore. We want communication to come,” he said, adding that the country will support mutual respect for EU-China relations.
“Hungary is the best example of the benefits of the honorable cooperation with China.”
“If we don’t encourage these Chinese companies (to come) to Hungary and show this two-way approach, tens of thousands of jobs will be lacking.”
Wang and analysts noted the importance of visiting China-EU relations, as Xi appealed to dialogue to commit to dialogue and cooperation, deepen strategic communication and strengthen strategic mutual trust. He also rejected China’s “superpower” claims using facts and figures.
Feng Zhongping, director of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Xi’s visit to Europe had raised expectations for the stability of China-EU relations.
Feng described the joint statement between China and France on the situation in the Middle East as another landmark, and said the two countries expressed solidarity in their public appeal to end hostilities at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
