China, Serbia agrees to upgrade relations to comprehensive strategic partnership

China and Serbia has agreed to upgrade their relations to the next level, as comprehensive strategic partnership in further deepening bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit.

"China and Serbia are all-weather friends and important cooperation partners," Xinhua quoted Chinese President Xi Jinping as saying.

"Our two countries enjoy a profound traditional friendship. Our relations have stood the test of time and history and grown even stronger," he added.

Asserting that bilateral relations now face new opportunities for development, Xi said that Beijing is ready to make joint efforts with Serbia to continue boosting political mutual trust, enhancing mutual understanding, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, and constantly expanding the platform for bilateral collaboration.

Serbian counterpart, Tomislav Nikolic on his part said that his people cherish the sincere friendship with the Chinese, adding the two countries have maintained a high level of mutual trust and shared similar positions on major international issues.

He added that the Serbian people are glad to see the achievements made by China in economic and social development.

Nikolic said he believes that Xi's visit will boost the all-round development of bilateral relations and deepen the all-dimensional cooperation between the two countries.

Both the leaders pledged to maintain high-level contacts and promote exchanges between the two governments, legislative bodies, political parties and armed forces.

Xi and Nikolic also pledged to jointly promote the China-

proposed Belt and Road Initiative, seek synergy between Serbia's national development strategy and the initiative.

After their talks, both leaders inked a joint statement on the establishment of China-Serbia comprehensive strategic partnership.

They also witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation deals, covering industrial capacity, finance, infrastructure construction, trade, energy, telecommunications, science, technology, local affairs, culture and tourism.

Nikolic later decorated Xi with the Order of Republic of Serbia, extending gratitude to the Chinese president for his outstanding contributions to advancing the bilateral ties.

Xi arrived in Belgrade on Friday. He will then travel Poland and Uzbekistan for state visits as well as the 16th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Heads of State in Tashkent.