Xi kicks off visits to Serbia, Poland and Uzbekistan

A worker adjusts Chinese and Serbian flags for the upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping in Belgrade, Serbia, June 16, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

President Xi Jinping has started an eight-day trip to Serbia, Poland and Uzbekistan on Friday, and the visit is expected to boost cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiatives proposed by China.

The delegation's flight took off at 10 am from Beijing. It is scheduled to arrive in Belgrade in the afternoon. The president will pay state visits to the three countries and attend a meeting.

In an article published on Thursday by Politika, a daily Serbian newspaper, Xi proposed more cooperation on major projects with Serbia, saying that China wants to share development opportunities and achievements with Serbia.

The two countries should increase bilateral trade and investment to benefit people in both nations, Xi said.

Describing Serbia as an "eternal friend and sincere partner" of China, he highlighted the bilateral friendship that dates to the 1950s when China established diplomatic ties with Yugoslavia.

During the trip, Xi will attend signing ceremonies for cooperation documents in the three countries, all of which are along the route of the Belt and Road Initiative, according to China's foreign ministers.

Liu Zuokui, an expert at the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that promoting bilateral cooperation with Serbia and Poland will play a positive role in propelling China-Central and East Europe (CEE) relations.

Denis Depoux, deputy president of Roland Berger Strategy Consultants for Asia, said that the growth of CEE has provided lots of business opportunities for Chinese companies, and the Chinese investments into CEE will enhance the overall relationship between Beijing and Europe.

"Central and East Europe play a crucial role within Europe as it is an integral part of the continent and also for its stability. CEE is experiencing higher growth than the rest of Europe," he said.