(BEIJING, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday, calling for more industrial cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
The meeting came just two days after a high-level economic and trade forum between China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries held in east China's Suzhou City.
The two countries signed a memorandum on Thursday to promote the connectivity-based Belt and Road Initiative.
China expects to deepen bilateral strategic partnership and integrate China's Belt and Road Initiative with Serbian Re-industrialization Strategy by promoting key cooperation projects in energy, finance, telecommunication and agriculture, Xi pointed out.
The two countries should also enhance people-to-people exchanges and expand cultural, educational and tourism cooperation to consolidate the foundation of bilateral friendship, Xi said.
China is willing to work with Serbia to contribute to the development of Sino-Europe ties and expects Serbia to play a leading role in the framework of China-CEE cooperation, or the "16+1" mechanism, to improve bilateral relations and sub-regional cooperation. Xi added.
Hailing China as a sincere friend to Serbia and the most reliable partner, Vucic voiced appreciation over China's continuous support.
Serbia is willing to enhance economic and cultural exchanges with China and speed up key cooperation projects in infrastructure, industrial capacity and industrial parks, Vucic added.