First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic addressed a message of congratulations to Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Wang Yi, on the occasion of the Lunar New Year.

"On the occasion of the coming Lunar New Year, please accept my most cordial congratulations and best wishes for further all round development, flourishing and prosperity of the People's Republic of China and for the overall well-being of the friendly people of China, as well as for your own good health, success and personal happiness.

I am confident that the new Lunar beginning will also bring with it new joint successes, joys and significant results in the relations between our two countries, to be celebrated further by many generations to come. The true and close friendship that has brought our countries and peoples together for a number of decades now, and the mutual trust and understanding on major issues, are the cornerstone of Serbia-China relations and cooperation within the China-CEEC mechanism, as well as of the "One Belt, One Road" initiative, to which Serbia attaches great importance.

I also wish hereby to thank you once again for the cordial reception you extended to me during our recent meeting in Beijing, and for the hospitality I was surrounded with, making me feel at home and which is the reason why I always look forward to revisiting China. Our conversation, and the meetings I had with other Chinese officials in Beijing and Tianjin on the occasion, additionally assured me of many more reasons for the pride and joy over successes in cooperation that lie in store for us in the time to come.

I am confident that the Lunar New Year will also generate new energy and ideas and create opportunities for innovative projects, giving a further boost to the comprehensive strategic partnership between Serbia and China, and thus also bringing benefits to both the Serbian and Chinese peoples.

Looking forward to this year providing us with an opportunity to meet again and discuss possibilities for further solidification of cooperation and reciprocate your warm hospitality in Belgrade, I wish you, once again, good health, the best of luck and personal happiness", saysthe message of congratulations of the Serbian Foreign Minister.