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China’s high-level opening-up has brought opportunities of development for the world, said Ana Brnabic, Serbian Prime Minister, on Wednesday during an interview in Belgrade. She also said Serbia looks forward to the upcoming 20th National Congress of Communist Party of China (CPC) to understand its new development plans.
“The 20th National Congress is not only the most important thing for China’s political agenda, but also means a lot for Serbia. We paid great attention to it. Why? Because China is one of Serbia’s important strategic partners and the two countries have a friendship of steel. China is also Serbia’s second largest trading partner. In the past decade, China and Serbia have seen huge changes in various areas and achieved significant progress. This will not be possible without care and instructions from leaders of the two countries and not possible without President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative and the cooperation mechanism between China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs). China and Serbia’s cooperation has benefited Serbia and its people a lot,” said Brnabic.
China has always been an active advocate and forerunner of opening-up and fair trades, said Brnabic, adding that China has shared its development dividends with other countries.
“China has been dedicated to high-level opening-up. What does that mean? For Serbia, in the past decade, Serbia’s exports to China increased 152 times. Yes, 152 times. In 2021, Serbia’s export volume to China was almost one billion euros. Despite the impact of COVID-19, bilateral trade exchanges between Serbia and China were nearly five billion euros last year. China’ proposals and efforts have provided opportunities of development for many countries and helped them make achievements. This is, in my opinion, the core of open market and fair trades,” said Brnabic.
The PM reviewed her unforgettable memories about cooperation between China and Serbia, calling China a reliable partner in difficult times.
“Facts has proved that China is a reliable partner you can count on when you are in difficulties. When Serbia started the fight against COVID-19, China was the first to lend a hand. We got all kinds of medical supplies, including ventilators. China then provided vaccines, medical experts and taught us the most effective way to curb COVID-19. When the EU imposed steel export quota on third markets including Serbia, Hesteel Serbia did not give up Smederevo steel plant and chose to stay with us to pull through difficulties. Hesteel continued its investments and showed trust to Serbia, to our people and workers. We joined hands to weather the storm,” said Brnabic.
