Serbia’s PM hails CIIE as global platform for mutual connections

Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut has praised the China International Import Expo (CIIE) as a platform strengthening the long-standing friendship between Serbia and China, while promoting growth, cooperation, and new economic opportunities for all.

In an interview with China Media Group (CMG) on the sidelines of the 8th edition of the event, Macut highlighted Serbia’s continued participation and the theme “Let’s Grow,” which reflects the expanding ties between the two countries.

At this year’s CIIE, scheduled to be held from November 5 to 10 in Shanghai, the Serbian delegation features 21 exhibitors, including eight returning participants and 13 first-time attendees. Their displays showcase a diverse range of Serbian products, from fruits and dairy items to wines.

In his remarks, the Prime Minister underscored Serbia’s long-standing participation in the expo.

“So Serbia is traditionally, I can say, here for eight years, and it’s really a pleasure to be among the international community. So Serbia is always here with you, of course, because we have this iron-clad friendship which is really lasting, and this is due to the presidential level — of President Xi and President Vucic — that really built a nice friendship, and this is evolving into the economy, but also into other different types of connections,” he said.

He explained that Serbia’s pavilion at this year’s expo carries the theme “Let’s Grow,” symbolizing the deepening ties between the two nations.

“And this year, we presented our stand with the flavor of the connection between Serbia and China, in the meaning of ‘let’s grow’– let’s say, growth from the ground to building houses. And we try to present Serbia as the country with lots of opportunities that are growing, but also the green country and a healthy country, because the focus this year is on the agricultural products, as you said, the winery products, and this is the presentation on the stands that our presenters are performing this year,” Macut said.

Highlighting the wider impact of the CIIE, the Prime Minister said the event has become a meeting point for nations to build lasting ties and improve life worldwide.

“I mean, China organized a place for mutual connections and [for] connecting people, and being a place of global [cooperation], if we are starting from trade and the economy, but that will evolve into a better everyday life on all the continents,” he said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Maka Botchorishvili in Beijing on Friday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said China is ready to consolidate political mutual trust with Georgia, carry forward their traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote greater development of China-Georgia relations.

He emphasized that China will open up on a larger scale, across more areas and in greater depth, to build an open world economy that delivers more practical benefits to people around the world.

For his part, Botchorishvili said Georgia hopes to elevate the bilateral relations with China to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

She affirmed Georgia’s commitment to the one-China policy, and expressed its support for China in all ways and on all occasions.