First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic and Defence Minister Zoran Djordjevic talked today with  Ambassador of the People's Republic of China Li Manchang, about the further enhancement of cooperation between the two friendly countries.

A high level of understanding and mutual support on a number of issues of vital importance for both Serbia and China were highlighted in the meeting, as well as cooperation within numerous international fora. The current situation at the international stage also featured in the talks, including regional developments, with the emphasis put on security issues and migration flows.

The Ambassador of the People's Republic of China underscored that his country considered Serbia an important partner in the Western Balkans region, expressing the hope that mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation would be additionally bolstered. China appreciates Serbia's principled position on Tibet and Taiwan, while it upholds a clear and consistent stance vis-à-vis Kosovo and Metohija, advocating the respect of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Serbia.

Minister Dacic emphasized that Serbia appreciated China's support of its aspiration to preserve its territorial integrity and to find a peaceful solution to the problem of Kosovo and Metohija. At the same time, as the Minister stressed, China is one of the most reliable strategic partners of the Republic of Serbia.

Minister Djordjevic flagged up the importance of the Agreement on Cooperation in the Area of Defence Industry, entered into between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia and the State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence of the People's Republic of China. That opened a window of opportunities for finding adequate modalities for cooperation in the research, development and production of arms and military equipment, as well as the path to potential Chinese investments in the Serbian research and production capacities. Therefore, the establishment of new joint companies seems highly realistic, all in line with the chosen areas and specific cooperation projects.

The interlocutors agreed that the visit made by President Xi Jinping, including the 22 signed interstate agreements, gave an additional impetus to the intensification of the overall bilateral cooperation. Therefore, there are special expectations with regard to Serbia-China economic cooperation. Large infrastructural projects carried out in Serbia by the Chinese companies were also hailed with the expressions of satisfaction.