Xi Jinping arrived in Belgrade to begin his state visit to Serbia
On the evening of May 7, local time, President Xi Jinping arrived in Belgrade by special plane and paid a state visit to Serbia at the invitation of Serbian President Vucic.
After Xi Jinping's special plane entered Serbian airspace, two Serbian Air Force fighter jets took off to escort it. When Xi Jinping arrived at Belgrade Nikola Tesla International Airport on a special plane, Serbian President Vucic and his wife, Chairman of the Cooperation Committee with China and former President Nikolic and his wife, Speaker Brnabic, Prime Minister Vucevic and foreign ministers Long-term Rich and others warmly welcomed us.
Vucic held a unique welcome ceremony for Xi Jinping at the airport. Serbian children presented flowers to Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan and waved the national flags of China and Serbia. Serbian people dressed in national costumes sang and danced to warmly welcome them.
Xi Jinping delivered a written speech. Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Serbia have profound traditional friendship, and their relations have withstood the test of the vicissitudes of the international situation, setting a model for state-to-state relations. Since the two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, bilateral relations have developed by leaps and bounds and made historic achievements. The political mutual trust between the two countries is as solid as a rock, the high-quality Belt and Road Initiative has yielded fruitful results, personnel exchanges have become closer, and the iron-clad friendship is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. China-Serbia cooperation is based on equality and mutual benefit and is in line with the fundamental and long-term interests of both countries. China is willing to work with Serbia to stay true to our original aspirations, move forward hand in hand, and create a new situation for cooperation with stronger momentum, wider areas, and higher quality. I look forward to taking this visit as an opportunity to have an in-depth exchange of views with President Vucic on bilateral relations and other issues of common concern, discuss friendship, discuss cooperation, seek common development, and chart a new blueprint for the development of bilateral relations. I believe that this visit will achieve fruitful results and write a new chapter in the development of China-Serbia relations.
President Xi Jinping's wife Peng Liyuan, Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs and other accompanying personnel arrived on the same plane.
Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Ming also went to the airport to greet him.
As Xi Jinping drove from the airport to his hotel, Belgrade was filled with a joyful and festive atmosphere. The national flags of China and Serbia were fluttering in the wind everywhere, and "China Red" was lit in many places. "Warmly Welcome Dear Chinese Friends" was played on a large electronic screen. Overseas Chinese and students in Serbia, as well as Serbian people, spontaneously waited on both sides of the road, waving the national flags of China and Serbia to warmly welcome Xi Jinping's visit.
Xi Jinping delivered a written speech upon arrival at Nikola Tesla International Airport in Belgrade, Serbia