Beijing, 30 April 2024 (TDI): Chinese President Xi Jinping on invitation of the French President Emmanuel Macron, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok will pay state visits to France, Serbia and Hungary from May 5-10.
This is the first visit to Europe by China’s head of state in nearly five years, which is of great significance to the overall development of China’s relations with France, Serbia, Hungary, and specifically Europe.
Noting that France was the first major Western country to establish diplomatic relations with China at the diplomatic level, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian highlighted that China-France relations have long been at the forefront of the relations between China and the West.
During the visit, President Xi will hold talks with President Macron and exchange in-depth views on China-France and China-Europe relations as well as international and regional hotspot issues of common concern.
President Xi’s visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France and is of great significance to building on past achievements and opening new prospects for bilateral relations.
While commenting on President Xi’s visit to Serbia foreign ministry spokesperson underlined that Serbia is China’s first comprehensive strategic partner in Central and Eastern Europe, and the two countries enjoy iron-clad friendship.
He said that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi and President Vučić, China-Serbia relations have maintained a high level of performance.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that during the visit, President Xi will hold talks with President Vučić to exchange in-depth views on China-Serbia relations, and international and regional issues of common concern.
Moreover, the two sides will hold discussions on elevating the positioning of bilateral ties and charting the course for future development.
This is President Xi’s second visit to Serbia in eight years, which is a milestone to upgrade and improve bilateral relations, said Lin, adding that taking this visit as an opportunity, China looks forward to working with Serbia to consolidate the iron-clad friendship between the two nations.
Lastly, President Xi will visit Hungary, foreign ministry spokesperson quoted that Hungary is an important country in Central and Eastern Europe.
He added that Hungary is also an important partner for China in advancing joint Belt and Road cooperation and China-Central and Eastern European cooperation.
The joint invitation extended by Hungarian President Sulyok and Prime Minister Orbán to President Xi to visit Hungary fully demonstrates Hungary’s high regard and earnest expectations for this visit, Lin added.
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President Xi will meet, and hold talks with President Sulyok and Prime Minister Orbán respectively to have in-depth exchanges of views on China-Hungary relations and issues of common concern.
As this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary, this milestone visit will elevate bilateral relations to a new level, open a new chapter for China-Hungary friendly cooperation.
Moreover, it will inject new impetus into the development of China-Europe relations and bring more stability and positive energy to the turbulent world.
