China, Serbia stress sovereignty and territorial integrity

China and Serbia publish their blueprint for building a comprehensive strategic partnership on Saturday as Chinese President Xi Jinping pays a State visit to the Balkan country. (Photo: Xinhua)

Chinese and Serbian heads of State stressed the importance of the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity in a joint statement issued on Saturday.

The statement, issued as Chinese President Xi Jinping met with his counterpart Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic and other Serbian political leaders on the second day of his three-day visit, clarified the two nations’ stance on issues related to Kosovo and the South China Sea.

Both sides agreed that the disputes over the territory and maritime rights of the South China Sea should be peacefully settled by parties directly concerned through friendly consultations and negotiations based on provisions stipulated in bilateral agreements and the Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

Hailing China-Serbia ties as a key diplomatic pillar, Serbia reiterated its commitment to the One-China Policy, recognizing that there is but one China in the world, the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the entirety of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. As such Serbia will not establish official relations or conduct official exchanges with Taiwan authorities.

Serbia pledged in the statement that it opposes “Taiwan independence” in all its forms and firmly supports peaceful cross-strait relations and the peaceful reunification of China.

China reiterated that it respects Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and appreciates Serbia's active efforts to seek a political solution to the Kosovo issue.

China believes that the best way to resolve the Kosovo issue is to work out a plan acceptable to both sides through dialogue and negotiation in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and Resolution 1244 adopted by the UN Security Council.

The two sides stressed that in international relation, separatism in any form must be condemned and prevented. Furthermore, they stressed that unilateral declaration of independence and other acts to impair international peace and security should not be supported.

On the issue of regional and international affairs, the two sides agreed to support the United Nations in playing a leading role in settling global issues, safeguarding world peace and promoting joint development. They vowed to push for the democratization of international relations.

Xi’s three-day state visit to Serbia was hailed as a milestone symbolizing a new chapter in the decades-long traditional friendship between the two countries.

During the trip, both sides also agreed to upgrade their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership from the strategic partnership they established in 2009.

They also reached a consensus on China's Belt and Road Initiative, economic and trade cooperation, person-to-person exchanges and other practical cooperation.