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China and Serbia forge closer ties

By Li Xiaokun (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-08-21 10:50

China and Serbia forged a strategic partnership Thursday to further enhance ties between Beijing and the Balkan state.

The two sides issued a joint statement about the partnership after talks between President Hu Jintao and visiting Serbian President Boris Tadic.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) welcomes visiting Serbian President Boris Tadic in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 20, 2009. [Xinhua]

"The issuing of the joint communiqu marks China becoming one of the four pillars of Serbia's foreign policy," Tadic told Hu at the beginning of their meeting.

"I believe our bilateral relations have reached the highest-ever level," he said.

Serbia resolutely adheres to the one-China policy and supports the Chinese government's efforts in protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, Tadic told Hu.

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The two men yesterday also signed documents of cooperation on infrastructure construction, economy, technology and tourism.

Pei Yuanying, former head of the department of policy research with the Foreign Ministry, said the communiqu shows Beijing is starting to make a blueprint for its relations with Belgrade, as Serbia became an independent state in 2006 following the breakup of a short-lived union with Montenegro.

"We established many friendly relations with other countries, but not every one is a strategic one," Pei said. "That means both sides will see ties with each other in a long-term and strategic view."

Tadic arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a week-long visit, the first official visit by a Serbian head of state since it announced independence.

In an interview with Xinhua on the eve of his visit, Tadic said that joining the European Union is Serbia's main strategic goal, which he expects will be realized in the next five years.

When Serbia joins the EU, China will have another close friend in the pan-European bloc, he said.