President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China is set to embark on a momentous two-day visit to Serbia on May 7th and 8th, 2024. This visit carries profound significance as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of a tragic event: the NATO bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade in 1999, a heartbreaking incident that claimed the lives of three Chinese journalists.
Accompanied by a delegation of 400 members, President Xi’s visit serves as a testament to the enduring bond between China and Serbia. Belgrade is eagerly preparing to welcome these distinguished guests, with Chinese flags adorning the city’s highway and major streets, including the iconic Genex Tower.
Xi will be greeted by Serbian MiG-29 fighter jets, which will escort his plane as soon as it enters Serbia’s airspace, and at Belgrade airport, a guard of the Serbian Army will be lined up in his honor. A security contingent of approximately 3,400 police officers will be ensuring his safety throughout his stay.
The welcoming festivities will include traditional Serbian folklore performances and floral decorations. The grandest ceremonial welcome will take place in front of the Palace of Serbia, symbolizing the deep respect and warm hospitality Serbia extends to its Chinese partners. A special musical program has been arranged, featuring a young Serbian performer singing “My Homeland and I” in Chinese, along with a choir performing “The Beautiful Flower of Jasmine,” also in Chinese. The program will culminate with the rendition of “This is Serbia.”
During his visit, President Xi is expected to sign around thirty agreements, further strengthening the bilateral ties between the two nations. Local dishes and wines will be served during lunch, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić will personally serve him Serbian wines, from sparkling to dessert, mostly of authentic varieties.
Following his meeting with Chinese Ambassador Li Ming in anticipation of President Xi’s visit, the Serbian President wrote on Instagram: “Proud of our ironclad friendship with China, we eagerly await President Xi’s visit, confident that our hospitality will demonstrate how much Serbia values its partnership with this great country.”
President Xi’s previous official visit to Serbia was in 2016, which marked the first visit of a Chinese president in 32 years. The presidents of Serbia and China last met in Beijing in October 2023, during the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
This is President Xi’s first visit to Europe in the last five years, since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and during this European tour, he will only visit three European capitals – Paris, Belgrade, and Budapest. He began his five-day tour with a visit to France on May 5th, followed by Belgrade on May 7th, and will conclude with Budapest.
In other news, Chinese tourists are expected to lead the surge in Serbia’s tourism sector. They have become a prominent presence in Serbia’s travel landscape, with Serbia being among the first countries Chinese tourists were revisiting after the COVID-19 pandemic. (source: Kurir)
Leave a Reply