Chinese PM made honorary citizen of Belgrade

Chinese PM made honorary citizen of Belgrade

For centuries, Belgrade has been the bridge between the East and the West, and today it is their meeting point. This charter corroborates a long tradition of good relations between the two countries and two peoples, Mali said at the ceremony.

Mali noted that Belgrade and Beijing inked an agreement on cooperation back in 1980, and announced that next year, on the occasion of the document's jubilee, he will pay a visit to Beijing at the invitation of his counterpart.

The mayor thanked the Chinese prime minister for the opportunity given to Belgrade as the host of this year's summit of China and CEECs, stressing that Serbia and its capital are determined to seize the chances they are offered.

Upon the arrival at the City Assembly, Li Keqiang signed the guest book of the city of Belgrade, and then greeted all guests in Serbian by saying: “Dobar dan” (good afternoon).

"I am very honored with this recognition," he said, and expressed his gratitude for the award.

The Chinese prime minister also underlined that there is a firm and traditional friendship and political trust between Serbia and China, adding that both countries insist on mutual respect.

Our cooperation is based on the principles of mutual benefit and joint success. Our wish is peace in the world and stability in the region and for that reason we insist on peaceful development, said Li, and wished growth and prosperity to Serbia.

"Thank you, I am now one of you," Li Keqiang said.

The title of the honorary citizen of Belgrade was first awarded on July 19, 1954, and the Chinese prime minister is the 27th person to receive this honor.

The prime minister of China was declared the honorary citizen of Belgrade by the City Assembly on November 28th, based on a proposal that was backed by all assembly groups.

The decision to honor Li is based, among others, on his role in strengthening the cooperation between the institutions of China and Serbia.

Li is the third Chinese official to be named honorary citizen of Belgrade, after the former prime minister Hua Guofeng and the former president of China Li Xiannian.

Before the ceremony at the City Assembly, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang visited the Kalemegdan fortress.

The Chinese prime minister and delegation members visited the clock tower, the Stambol gate, and monument The Victor, and learnt more about the history of the Serbian capital.

Members of the Chinese delegation expressed particular interest in the exhibition “World Heritage in China”, which showcases the distinctiveness and beauty of the Chinese civilization.

The exhibition was staged in October with the support of the Belgrade Secretariat for Culture and partners in China.