2016年CRI China, Serbia Sign 21 Deals to Elevate Ties

 

Meeting with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic in Belgrade late Saturday, Xi Jinping has announced the two sides have agreed to upgrade their bilateral¹ ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership².

The Chinese President says the move is a major step forward in China's foreign policy toward central and eastern Europe.

"China and Serbia have agreed to lift our relations to a comprehensive partnership, and signed a joint³ statement to this end. This signifies a breakthrough in our bilateral ties and sets a new precedent⁴ in China's foreign relations with central and eastern European countries. It's an affirmation of China and Serbia ties and will bring about a new chapter and new opportunities to our future cooperation."

Xi Jinping says the new agreement - while on the surface may appear symbolic⁵ - is actually going to translate into concrete action.

"Practical cooperation is the most important aspect of China-Serbia relations. We have agreed on deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, expanding the cooperation of major projects in the future. We will concentrate on important areas such as infrastructure⁶, production capacities and agriculture. We will strive to improve the quality, depth and range of joint efforts to realize truly beneficial cooperation. "

The new joint statement also covers areas such as trade, investment, finance, culture, education, healthcare and technology.

As part of Xi Jinping's visit, China's central bank has also signed a currency swap⁷ deal worth 1.5 billion yuan with the National Bank of Serbia.

The 3-year agreement also includes an option for a future extension.

For his part, Tomislav Nikolic says Serbia is committed to work with China on regional and global issues.

"President Xi Jinping's initiative to strengthen the role of China through the 'One Belt, One Road'program will enable countries along its route to strengthen their connection, to exchange technologies and knowledge, employ resources and manpower. Serbia is, in that sense, ready to become the most important partner of China and not only in the Balkan region.

Late last year, a consortium of Chinese companies began the construction of the Serbian section of the Serbia-Hungary railway.

Covering the total distance of 184 km in Serbia, the railway will shorten the travel time between Budapest and Belgrade from 8-hours to less than three.

Nikolic says the project is going to play an integral role in regional development.

For us, the modernisation of the Hungary-Serbia railway has a special significance, along with other projects of transport by land, maritime⁸ and river network between China and Serbia. That is a chance for the development of the whole region and also for economic development in general."

21 other agreements have also been signed between China and Serbia, ranging in areas from economics, infrastructure, energy and finance to defense⁹, technology, culture and the media.

1 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

2 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

3 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

4 precedent   

n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的

参考例句：

• Is there a precedent for what you want me to do?你要我做的事有前例可援吗？
• This is a wonderful achievement without precedent in Chinese history.这是中国历史上亘古未有的奇绩。

5 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。

6 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

7 swap   

n.交换；vt.交换，用...作交易

参考例句：

• I will swap you my bicycle for your radio.我想拿我的自行车换你的收音机。
• This comic was a swap that I got from Nick.这本漫画书是我从尼克那里换来的。

8 maritime   

adj.海的，海事的，航海的，近海的，沿海的

参考例句：

• Many maritime people are fishermen.许多居于海滨的人是渔夫。
• The temperature change in winter is less in maritime areas.冬季沿海的温差较小。

9 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。