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Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Zorana Mihajlovic says Serbia welcomes investment from China. She also hopes that President Xi Jinping’s visit will further enhance bilateral ties.

China and Serbia signed a contract on strategic cooperation back in 2009. The Serbian government says investments from China have helped finance important infrastructure projects.

“Now, we have the high speed railway project from Belgrade to Budapest, and the No. 11 expressway linking Montenegro and Serbia. China’s total investment in Serbia has reached between 2.2 billion and 2.5 billion euros,” said Mihajlovic.

Mihajlovic added that Chinese investment could help Serbia improve its status in Europe and abroad. She said Serbia is willing to promote cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries.

“We are happy that China has chosen Serbia as its partner, its biggest partner in the Balkan region. Most Chinese Balkan investments eventually flow to Serbia,” Mihajlovic said.

“Direct investments to Serbia show that Serbia is the center of cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries. Serbia is an important country for infrastructure investment.”

Mihajlovic hopes that Xi’s upcoming visit to Serbia will further enhance bilateral ties.

“Serbia has a traditional friendship with China. The Chinese president’s visit is the first visit by a top Chinese leader to Serbia in 32 years. We are an old friend to the Chinese people. And this visit is of great significance to us,” she said.

“We hope it can further improve our bilateral relationship. Serbia is an open country, and we are willing to cooperate with other countries, especially China, with whom we have a traditional friendship.”