Forging a shared future: Ironclad China-Serbia partnership
Editor's note: Decision Makers is a global platform for decision makers to share their insights on events shaping today's world. Li Ming is China's ambassador to Serbia. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.
编者按：“决策者”是一个全球平台，供决策者分享他们对当今世界重大事件的见解。本文作者是中国驻塞尔维亚大使李明。文章仅代表作者观点，而非本台观点。
Eight years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first state visit to the Republic of Serbia. This visit resulted in positive outcomes, leading to Serbia becoming China's first comprehensive strategic partner in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). In the past eight years, the China and Serbia relationship has developed exponentially, setting an example for cooperation between China and CEE countries under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The partnership has significantly contributed to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
八年前，中国国家主席习近平首次对塞尔维亚共和国进行国事访问，取得了丰硕的访问成果，塞尔维亚成为中国在中东欧地区首个全面战略伙伴。八年来，中塞关系取得长足发展，为中国同中东欧国家共建“一带一路”合作树立了典范。这一伙伴关系为构建人类命运共同体作出了重要贡献。
China and Serbia are close friends and partners, sharing an ironclad friendship that has withstood the test of time and thrives despite shifts in the global landscape. In October 2023, President Vucic attended the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing. On the sideline of the forum, the two countries signed the China-Serbia free trade agreement (FTA), the first free trade agreement signed between China and a Central and Eastern European country.
中塞是亲密朋友和伙伴。两国的“铁杆”友谊经受住了时间考验，在国际局势风云变幻中历久弥坚。2023年10月，塞尔维亚总统武契奇出席了在北京举办的第三届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛。会议期间，两国签署了《中华人民共和国政府和塞尔维亚共和国政府自由贸易协定》，这是中国与中东欧国家签署的第一个自贸协定。
The agreement has played a pivotal role in broadening the bilateral cooperation beyond traditional sectors, particularly into digital and sustainable economies. This strategic expansion has unlocked vast potential in areas such as innovation, new energy, biotechnology and environmental protection, thereby enriching the collaborative landscape between the two countries.
该协议不仅推动了两国在传统领域的双边合作，更进一步将双边合作拓展至数字经济和可持续经济产业，释放了两国在创新、新能源、生物技术和环境保护等领域的巨大潜力，进一步丰富了两国之间的合作样态。
Guided by the significant consensus reached by the two heads of state, the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has yielded remarkable outcomes. Notably, bilateral trade has witnessed a substantial surge from $596 million in 2016 to $4.35 billion in 2023. Moreover, in 2022, China emerged as the largest source of direct investment for Serbia, underscoring the depth of economic ties between the two nations.
在两国领导人重要共识指引下，两国经贸合作成果显著。值得注意的是，双边贸易额从2016年的5.96亿美元大幅飙升至2023年的43.5亿美元。此外，2022年，中国成为塞尔维亚最大的直接投资来源国，凸显了两国之间深厚的经济联系。
Chinese President Xi Jinping once stated that, "The modernization we are pursuing is not for China alone, but for all developing countries through our joint efforts." The state visit to Serbia has proven successful in boosting economic and trade relations between the two nations, particularly within the BRI framework.
中国国家主席习近平曾指出，“我们追求的不是中国独善其身的现代化，而是期待同广大发展中国家在内的各国一道，共同实现现代化。”此次国事访问进一步深化了两国经贸关系，特别是在“一带一路”倡议合作框架内。
Serbia, a key partner in the BRI, was among the first European countries to sign a cooperation agreement with China. Projects within the initiative have significantly improved local livelihoods, boosting employment, trade and investment, and energizing Serbia's development. Examples include the Hungary-Serbia railway project and the revitalization of the Smederevo steel plant.
塞尔维亚是“一带一路”倡议重要合作伙伴，是最早同中国签署“一带一路”合作文件的欧洲国家之一。“一带一路”倡议的实施改善了当地民生，带动了就业、贸易和投资，为该国的发展注入新动力。其中，匈塞铁路的建设和斯梅代雷沃钢厂的振兴就是两个有力的例证。
In 2022, the Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Hungary-Serbia railway was completed, cutting travel time between the two cities from 90 to around 30 minutes. Over the past two years, this section of railway has transported over 7 million passengers.
2022年，匈塞铁路贝尔格莱德至诺维萨德段线路竣工，将两地通行时间从90分钟缩短至30分钟左右。两年来，该段铁路已运送旅客超700万人次。
The Smederevo steel plant was on the brink of closure due to mismanagement. However, under the BRI, China's HBIS partnered with the Serbian government in 2016 to establish HBIS Group Serbia Iron & Steel. Within six months, the plant turned profitable after seven years of losses, becoming Serbia's top exporter for four consecutive years since 2018. This endeavor retained all 5,000 Serbian employees, offering renewed hope to thousands of families. President Xi, in his letter to the steelworkers, gave them "the thumbs up," encouraging further contributions to China-Serbia friendship
因经营管理不善，塞尔维亚的斯梅代雷沃钢厂一度濒临倒闭。在“一带一路”倡议框架下，中国河钢集团于2016年与塞尔维亚政府合作成立河钢集团塞尔维亚钢铁公司。六个月内，该工厂在连续七年亏损后扭亏为盈，2018年起连续四年成为塞尔维亚第一大出口企业，不仅保住了全部5000名塞尔维亚员工的工作岗位，更为数千个家庭带来了新的希望。习近平主席在给钢厂职工的回信中，为他们“点赞”，勉励他们为中塞友谊作出新贡献。
As part of former Yugoslavia, Serbia shares a special cultural connection with the Chinese, evoking both cherished memories and somber moments. During the 20th century, Yugoslavian movies and literature enjoyed popularity in China, making Serbia a sought-after destination. Reciprocal visa exemptions, mutual driving license recognition and direct flights have facilitated travel for Chinese visitors and further deepened the people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.
作为前南斯拉夫的核心成员国，塞尔维亚与中国人民之间有着深厚的文化纽带。这段历史既包含着珍贵的回忆，也承载着悲伤的时刻。在20世纪，南斯拉夫的电影和文学作品深受中国观众的喜爱，这也使得塞尔维亚成为了中国游客的热门旅游目的地。如今，两国之间的免签政策、驾照互认以及直航的开通，都极大地便利了中国游客的出行，进一步加深了中塞两国人民之间的交流与联系。
However, Serbia also bears witness to one of China's darkest chapters. In 1999, the former Chinese Embassy in Belgrade was bombed by NATO, resulting in the loss of three Chinese journalists' lives. Today, the site of the bombing has been transformed into the Belgrade China Cultural Center, symbolizing the resilience of the Chinese people. This center embodies the enduring friendship between the Chinese and Serbian people, forged through adversity, and underscores China's commitment to peace and its unwavering national character of not fearing power.
然而，塞尔维亚也曾目睹了中国历史中灰暗的一页。1999年，北约轰炸位于驻贝尔格莱德的中国驻原南联盟大使馆，三名中国记者不幸遇难。如今，轰炸的遗址已变为贝尔格莱德中国文化中心，这不仅是中国人民坚韧不屈精神的象征，更是中塞两国在共同患难中铸就的深厚情谊的见证，也体现了中国人民对和平的坚定承诺和中华民族不畏强权、坚忍不拔的性格。
During his visit to Serbia, President Xi have detailed discussions with President Vucic on shared international and regional concerns, alongside bilateral relations. They have explored ways to enhance bilateral ties, chart a course for the future development of bilateral relations and reinforce practical cooperation between the two countries.
访塞期间，习近平主席与武契奇总统就共同关注的国际和地区问题以及双边关系进行了深入细致的探讨。双方共同探索了如何进一步加强两国关系，为双边关系的未来发展制定规划，并推动两国之间的务实合作不断深化。
China and Serbia have taken this visit as an opportunity to further consolidate the ironclad friendship between the two countries, enhance political mutual trust, broaden practical cooperation, initiate a fresh phase in bilateral relations and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
中塞双方以此访为契机，进一步巩固了两国“铁杆”友谊，深化了政治互信，拓展了务实合作，开启了中塞关系历史新篇章，携手为推动构建人类命运共同体作出贡献。
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