First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic received today a high-ranking delegation of the People's Republic of China headed by Yang Jiechi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee.

In the cordial and substantial talks views were exchanged on the state of affairs regarding overall relations between the two countries and their future perspective. They both expressed satisfaction with the outstanding relations between the Republic of Serbia and the People's Republic of China and readiness to further advance comprehensive strategic partnership. It was noted that despite COVID-19 pandemic, the cooperation between the two countries was additionally stepped up while the continuity of high and highest-level political dialogue has been maintained. This is testified to by a visit of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic to China in February this year at the height of the epidemic there as well as by the current visit of a high-ranking Chinese official to Serbia.

Minister Dacic congratulated China for its successful fight against COVID-19 and thanked for the assistance in medical equipment and supplies forwarded by the Government of the PR of China, for dispatching a team of medical experts to Serbia, for donating two COVID-19 testing laboratories "Fire Eye", as well as the assistance of Chinese provinces and companies and donations of a large number of individual Chinese citizens in particular.
Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee Yang Jiechi emphasized that the Chinese side especially appreciated the decision of Minister Dacic to travel to China while COVID-19 epidemic was in full swing which has been perceived as yet another proof of iron-clad friendship between our two peoples. It was noted that in the forthcoming period the two sides need to focus on implementation of agreements reached aimed at deepening comprehensive strategic partnership.

Both sides expressed satisfaction over the fact that the cooperation in the field of economy has been stepped up, particularly in terms of investment and project cooperation, energy and in other fields. Minister Dacic said that we are looking forward to the opening of the Chinese Cultural Center in Belgrade as soon as possible as well as to launching a full scope of activities of the Serbian Cultural Center "Ivo Andric" in Beijing.

The talks reiterated mutual support on questions of essential national interest to both countries. First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic expressed gratitude for China's consistent support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia and our efforts to reach a mutually acceptable solution to the issue of Kosovo and Metohija in a dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. At the same time, our side reiterated firm and principled support to the Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity, i.e. to the "one-China" policy and "one country-two systems" principle.