Chinese Prime Minister made honorary citizen of Belgrade

BELGRADE - Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang was made an honorary citizen of Belgrade on Thursday thus becoming the third high-ranking official of China presented with this recognition.

At a ceremony held at the Belgrade City Assembly, which was attended by Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and representatives of the state and city authorities, Belgrade Mayor Sinisa Mali and Belgrade Assembly Speaker Nikola Nikodijevic presented the Chinese prime minister with the honorary citizen charter.

For centuries, Belgrade has been the bridge between the East and the West, and today it is their meeting point. This charter corroborates a long tradition of good relations between the two countries and two peoples, Mali said at the ceremony.

Mali noted that Belgrade and Beijing inked an agreement on cooperation back in 1980, and announced that next year, on the occasion of the document's jubilee, he will pay a visit to Beijing at the invitation of his counterpart.
The mayor thanked the Chinese prime minister for the opportunity given to Belgrade as the host of this year's summit of China and CEECs, stressing that Serbia and its capital are determined to seize the chances they are offered.

Upon the arrival at the City Assembly, Li signed the guest book of the city of Belgrade, and then greeted all guests in Serbian by saying: "Dobar dan" (good afternoon).

I am very honored with this recognition, Li said, and expressed his gratitude for the award.

The Chinese prime minister also underlined that there is a firm and traditional friendship and political trust between Serbia and China, adding that both countries insist on mutual respect.

Our cooperation is based on the principles of mutual...