1st Serbia-China direct flights to take off this weekend: Envoy

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) – Direct flights between Belgrade and Beijing will take off from Saturday, marking another significant step in Serbia and China’s push for closer ties.

“From July 16, Hainan Airlines will start operating direct Beijing-Belgrade flights, while Air Serbia is expected to follow suit soon,” Maja Stefanovic, the Serbian ambassador to China, said in an interview with a Chinese media outlet.

“This will undoubtedly help increase cooperation at all levels, social exchanges and tourist flow.”

With Serbia an integral part of China’s flagship Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing has ramped up investments in the country, pumping in billions of dollars, particularly in the infrastructure and energy sectors.

China was also the first country to send medical equipment and aid to Serbia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bilateral ties are at the strongest point in history and several more significant steps are expected in the near future, including a free trade agreement, according to Stefanovic.

Serbia is hopeful of getting the required approval to start exporting various products, including different kinds of meat and honey, she told the China Media Group.

“Work is already underway on other infrastructure projects such as the construction of highways,” she said.

A Chinese cultural center built in Belgrade will be opened soon, while the Serbian cultural center in Belgrade will have a new director in the coming days, she added.

“The steel friendship between Serbia and China symbolizes precisely the mutual support that the two countries provide to each other,” said Stefanovic.​​​​​​​