Chinese business association in Serbia set up

Chinese business association in Serbia set up

He called on the Chinese working in Serbia to honor laws, customs and tradition of their host country and to together with Serbian friends develop all forms of cooperation, the Beta news agency reported.

"During the recent summit in Belgrade, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang agreed with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and President Tomislav Nikolic the construction of the Belgrade-Budapest railway over the next two years. This project will be the embassy's priority, but we will not neglect other projects," the ambassador said.

He also said that the Serbia-China friendship "is today stronger than yesterday, but weaker than tomorrow."

Association President Gu Xiyao said that the organization was a result of the Chinese idea of a common path, noting that it was tasked with finding new projects in Serbia.

Xiyao and Belgrade Chamber of Commerce President Milivoje Miletic signed a cooperation agreement between the association and the chamber.

The congress was also attended by President Tomislav Nikolic's wife Dragica Nikolic, who thanked China for flood relief assistance, noting that other countries in the world should follow the example of friendly Serbia-China ties.

Projects

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic has said he believes the railroad from Belgrade to Budapest will be built as planned, within two years, stressing that it will provide a better connection with Europe for China, through Serbia.

The project will be under strict supervision, he stressed, adding that he would be involved personally, because he wanted the project with China to succeed.

"If we said the railroad would be completed in two years, then it has to be done in two years, because I know well how the Chinese operate and they allow no excuses for breaching deadlines," he stated.

"This railroad connects us with Europe, and it also provides a much better connection with Europe for China, through Serbia," he remarked.

The project also involves Hungary, which, as a member of the EU, wants to take advantage of China's willingness to invest in this part of Europe, he stated.

Immediately after the summit between China and countries of Central and Southeast Europe in Belgrade last month, the talks started with the Chinese president and prime minister on strengthening the cooperation between China and Serbia were continued with a Chinese delegation, Nikolic pointed out.

"We talked about opening a completely new field of cooperation as well and I tried to convince Chinese companies that it pays to invest in production in Serbia, not just in infrastructure," he said.