国内英语新闻:Chinese president meets Serbian president

BEIJING, Aug. 31(Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic in Beijing on Monday.

Xi welcomed Nikolic to the commemoration activities for the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

China and Serbia made tremendous sacrifices in the Second World War and made great contributions to the eventual defeat of the Fascist forces in Asia and Europe, said Xi.

In the future, it is still the common objective and sacred mission of China and Serbia to jointly safeguard the hard-won world peace, he said.

China views Serbia as an important cooperative partner, said Xi, noting China is willing to work with Serbia to push forward their relations.

Central and east European countries including Serbia are important nations along the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, said Xi.

The Belt and Road Initiative brings together countries in Asia, Europe and even Africa via overland and maritime networks, with the purpose of boosting infrastructure construction, financial cooperation and cultural exchanges in those regions.

Xi called on the two countries to use the opportunity of the Belt and Road Initiative to enhance pragmatic cooperation and bring more benefits for both people.

Nikolic said he was delighted to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War with the Chinese people.

Serbia views China as a great and sincere partner and is satisfied with the development of bilateral ties, he said.

Serbia is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in the sectors of telecommunications, automobile manufacturing, transportation and water conservation, said Nikolic.