Vucic: Serbia enjoys China's firm and clear support in preserving our territorial integrity

Photo: Tanjug/Jadranka Ilic

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday in Beijing that Serbia has China's support in preserving its territorial integrity and added that this support is firm, clear, unambiguous and unwavering.

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"I mentioned today and we talked about Kosovo: China's firm support for preserving the territorial integrity of Serbia, and for Kosovo and Metohija as part of Serbia. Firm, clear, unambiguous and unwavering. As well as our support for the territorial integrity of China, that is, the One China principle: support on Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, any other place. There's also strong mutual support for all issues in line with the norms of international law and the UN Charter," Vucic told reporters in Beijing when asked whether he discussed Kosovo and Metohija, and a new military alliance in our region with President Xi Jinping.

He stressed that it is of great importance for Serbia that whatever is agreed with the Chinese side is honored.

"There is always what we call follow-ups, what has been achieved, they do that. There are no games, there's no kidding around. What happens with us, a meeting is over, and then 20 days pass before you remember that you were in that meeting. That's, unfortunately, what many people are used to. Fortunately, many people in our country are not, they act differently, and the Chinese are also very hardworking, dedicated, they push forward," said Vucic.

The president added that his visit to China has attracted a lot of media attention in that country, although at home, anti-government protesters deny this.

"I'm not actually here, just as much as there were 200,000 of them (at a protest in Belgrade over the weekend). Well, all the news programs here start with reports about our visit, yesterday and today. I didn't believe that a visit to the Great Wall of China could cause so much attention. President Xi talked today about what we said on the Great Wall of China, let alone this today, this is de facto the only news. But well, that's how it is with them (anti-government forces), that it doesn't matter," Vucic said when asked why his stance on China is more appreciated in the world than in Serbia, taking into account certain media reports in Serbia saying that the Chinese media are not covering his visit.

Vucic also said that the German chancellor has visited German factories in the west of China, that the French president and the US presidents also visited, and noted that it is implied by his critics that all of them have the right to do that, but he does not.

"'Who are you, little one, (president) with less than seven million inhabitants, to interfere in major world issues and who are you to be there, that is only reserved for us' - makes sense. So I understand that attitude and everything is fine, I have no problem," he added.

He also pointed out that the Chinese president previously said that he favors globalization and that China cannot be defeated economically.

"President Xi said: 'I am for globalization, China is winning, you can't beat China anymore in the market economy, put whatever product you want, China will make it of the same quality or better, and at least 75 percent of those products will also be cheaper'," Vucic said, and added:

"Then those who swore by the principle of free, liberal and market economy turned to protectionism. And then that protectionism reached its peak. Water cannot be stopped - you can build as many barriers as you like, but no one has stopped water, that's nature. And when someone works so hard and fights like these people here, how are you going to win? Very difficult, and these are the things that people have to look at from an objective point of view," said Vucic.

The president also spoke about the Chinese automobile industry that he said is very advanced, and that he hopes "we will soon see such car manufacturers in Serbia as well".

Vucic then noted that he expects to be criticized because he will go to Tivat in Montenegro to participate in the Western Balkans summit.

"As for the international position, many people will criticize us. That's why they run away from that topic in the regional media as well, because that's where Serbia's strength can be seen, of course. I expect to be criticized again, I'm going to Tivat soon."

"I'm used to such things, because some people don't understand that you can exert as much pressure as you want, but I always take Serbia's interest into account, and that's always more important to me than any pressure bearing on me. If Serbia's interest is something else, there's nothing I can do for those pressuring me," said Vucic.

Asked by a journalists to comment on the US State Department's report to the US Congress, which mentions the Western Balkans and Serbia, specifically the part that says the "malign influence of Russia and China" should be eliminated, Vucic said that Serbia respects what the US State Department is doing and will continue cooperation with the US, but will not abandon its policy.

"Great power! We will not give up our position, at least not as easily as some imagine, otherwise what do we need a state for if it's run by lapdogs who, when they get an email or are invited to meet in a bar to take notes of what homework is, rush to do that and undermine their country," said Vucic.

Vucic is on an official visit to the People's Republic of China from May 24 to 28, by invitation of President of China Xi Jinping.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)