Wei Jinhua, Chinese Ambassador to Belgrade: Serbia is China's strategic partner in southeast Europe
- Serbia became China's first strategic partner in southeast Europe last year and, thus, a new chapter was opened in the bilateral relations between the two countries - Wei Jinhua, the Chinese Ambassador to Belgrade, says in the interview for Blic Nedelje and adds that the two countries proclaimed the establishment of strategic partnership during the visit of Serbian President Tadić to China in August 2009.
Serbia found a big political and economic partner in China. What kind of cooperation can we expect in the year of Tiger that started today?
– The establishment of strategic partnership between China and Serbia created new prospects for cooperation between the two countries in all fields. I believe that the joint efforts of both sides will help Serbia and China constantly make progress in the fields of trade, science and technology, education, culture, health care and sport, as well as in all other fields, which will be useful for both sides.
Can we expect some new Chinese investments?
– Last year Serbia and Chine increased the exchange of goods and cooperation in the field of trade. During the visit of President Tadić to China, the two sides signed the framework agreement on economic and technological cooperation in the field of infrastructure. The China Road and Bridge Corporation and the China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation separately signed pre-contracts with Serbian side for the projects for construction of Zemun–Borča bridge and revitalization and construction of steam power plant Kostolac. The Chinese automotive industry Dong Feng and Serbian automobile factory FAP in Priboj finished the preparation works on the cooperation project. Based on good realization of adequate projects, we are deeply convinced that even more Chinese companies will be investing in Serbia in the future.
How much the China's position about illegal declaration of Kosovo's independence can affect other countries?
– The People's Republic of China has a consistent and categorical position about Kosovo. Regardless of the situation in bilateral and multilateral relations, China will always support Serbia's efforts to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and it insists on compliance with the international law, the norms of international relations and the UN Security Council's Resolution 1244. China submitted written report to the International Court of Justice on the issue of legality of unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo and participated in the discussion about that issue. That is the first time for China to participate in written and oral discussion organized by the International Court of Justice. We are of the opinion that the negotiations between Serbian side and Kosovo's authorities are the only way for finding mutually acceptable solution. China is the country guided by equal principles toward the whole world. Its support to Serbia is not only a result of traditional friendship, but also a wish for preservation of the international law, the norms of international relations and UN's authority.
Are you satisfied with the position of Chinese citizens in Serbia?
– Over the last few years, situation in the Western Balkans and Serbia has been gradually stabilizing and the state of security of the Chinese citizens in Serbia is now much better than before. Chinese Embassy to Serbia is maintaining active contacts with the authorized organs of Serbia, which led to establishment of a good mechanism of communication between the authorized immigration organs and Chinese citizens in Serbia, to mutual benefit. In the future, the Embassy of China to Serbia is willing to invest joint efforts with the authorized organs of Serbia in creating better conditions for life and work of Chinese citizens in Serbia.
How did China register the economic growth rate of 8.5% in the year of global economic crisis?
– China's central tasks in the reaction to global financial crisis are as follows: maintenance of the economic development rate, improvement of living standard and preservation of social stability. Faced with the crisis, the Chinese Government placed the focus of macroregulation on the maintenance of stable and fast economic growth, it conducted active financial and adequate flexible currency policy, it supported the state's investments to a great extent and started realization of the two-year investment plan worth 4,000bn RMB. Aforementioned measures ensured China's stable transition in the global economic crisis.
(Note: complete text is taken over from newspaper Blic of February 14, 2010)
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