Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Selakovic met today with Ambassador of the People's Republic of China Chen Bo.

Selakovic noted that the relations between Serbia and China continue to strengthen and expressed satisfaction with the dialogue and intensification of cooperation between Serbia and China during the corona virus pandemic.

The Serbian Foreign Minister pointed out that Serbia attached huge importance to further enriching the strategic partnership and strengthening the high and top level dialogue with the People's Republic of China, and also that the new Serbian Government continued to follow the guidelines set out by Serbian and Chinese Presidents, Aleksandar Vucic and Xi Jinping respectively. In this context, we are eagerly looking forward to President Xi Jinping paying a visit to Serbia as soon as possible, once the global epidemiological situation permits, Minister Selakovic underlined.

Furthermore, Minister Selakovic said that he was pleased with the cooperation maintained between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, expressing a wish that further efforts be made to intensify it in the period ahead.

Serbia immensely values the principled position of China concerning the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, particularly in the framework of the UN and other international organizations and institutions, expecting the support to continue in the same spirit, Selakovic said.

Minister Selakovic said that Serbia was fully committed to intensifying cooperation with China through bilateral channels, but also through the "Belt and Road" initiative and China's cooperation mechanism with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

When it comes to economic cooperation, the Head of Serbian diplomacy expressed an expectation that the trend of Chinese direct investments in Serbia will continue, as well as that Serbian exports to China will record an increase.

Discussing the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, Selakovic pointed out the cooperation in the field of culture and the opening of the Cultural Center of Serbia in Beijing, in November 2018, as being of special importance considering that it will contribute to a better knowledge of Serbia and our culture in China. At the same time, the Minister welcomed the planned opening of the Chinese Cultural Center in Belgrade, the foundation stone of which was laid by the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping.

The Serbian Foreign Minister extended congratulations to the Ambassador, wishing her both personal and professional success in 2021, and thanked for the congratulatory message addressed to him on the occasion of the New Year by State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Wang Yi.