Archive for ‘Serbia’

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27/03/2020

Chinese enterprises donate more medical supplies to Serbia

JINAN, March 27 (Xinhua) — A shipment of medical supplies donated by Chinese companies in Shandong Province was delivered via a chartered flight on Friday morning from Jinan, the provincial capital, to Serbia to help with local coronavirus fight.

The supplies include 60,000 masks, 100 protective suites, 1,000 goggles and 2,000 boxes of medicine, donated by the Shandong High-speed Group and the First Company of China Eighth Engineering Division Ltd.

A batch of medical supplies donated by Chinese companies earlier, including the HBIS Group Co., Ltd., arrived in Serbia on Thursday with the help of the United Nations Development Programme and the European Union.

As of 3:00 p.m. Thursday local time, Serbia had reported 457 cases of COVID-19 and seven deaths.

Source: Xinhua

Posted in chartered flight, Chinese, COVID-19, deaths, donate, enterprises, European Union, First Company of China Eighth Engineering Division Ltd, HBIS Group Co., Ltd., Jinan, medical supplies, Serbia, Shandong High-speed Group, shandong province, Uncategorized, United Nations Development Programme | Leave a Comment »

22/03/2020

Coronavirus: Xi Jinping calls leaders of France, Spain, Germany and Serbia with offers of support

  • Chinese president tells heads of state that Beijing is ready to do all it can to help Europe fight Covid-19, as death toll on the continent passes 5,000
  • ‘Public health crises are the common challenges facing humankind, and unity and cooperation are its most powerful weapons,’ Xi tells German Chancellor Angela Merkel
Chinese President Xi Jinping reached out a helping hand to four European leaders on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua
Chinese President Xi Jinping reached out a helping hand to four European leaders on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua
Chinese President Xi Jinping made an unusually intense diplomatic gesture towards Europe on Saturday by calling the leaders of France, Germany, Spain and Serbia to offer support in their fight against Covid-19.
The calls came as many European nations are facing shortages of the essential medical supplies and equipment they need to combat the pandemic that has already killed more than 5,000 people across the continent.
Italy has been the worst hit, with more than 4,000 people killed and over 47,000 infected. In Spain, the death toll jumped by more than 300 on Saturday to 1,326, while the number of confirmed cases neared 25,000.
In contrast, China has reported no new local transmissions for three days. As a result, the industrial powerhouse has been able to send millions of face masks it might otherwise have needed to Europe.
In a call to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Xi said China was prepared to do all it could to help.
“If Germany is in need, China is willing to provide help within our capabilities,” he was quoted as saying by Xinhua, which reported on all of the calls.

“Public health crises are the common challenges facing humankind, and unity and cooperation are its most powerful weapons,” he said, adding that China was willing to share its “information and experience”.

Beijing was also ready to work with Berlin in other areas, such as vaccine development, Xi said.

Germany, which has reported more than 20,000 cases and 44 deaths, is the only country out of the four Xi called that has not yet requested medical supplies from China.

Xi Jinping promised to send Chinese medical support teams to Serbia, like this one that was deployed to Italy. Photo: AP
Xi Jinping promised to send Chinese medical support teams to Serbia, like this one that was deployed to Italy. Photo: AP
Of the four countries Xi called, only Serbia is not a member of the European Union. Its president, Aleksandar Vucic, earlier dismissed the EU’s vow of solidarity as a “fantasy” and turned to China for help.

“China and Serbia are comprehensive strategic partners,” Xi told Vucic on Saturday. “The hard-as-iron friendship of the two countries, and of the two peoples, shall last forever.”

Xi pledged to provide Serbia with protective gear and medical equipment, as well as helping it to source materials from China.

Vucic also managed to secure a guarantee from the Chinese president that he would send medical teams to Serbia, like those already deployed in Italy and Spain, the Xinhua report said.
Despite Vucic’s criticism of the EU, the bloc said on Friday it would provide Serbia with €7.5 million (US$8 million) worth of aid.
“Next week, big cargo airplanes will bring critical medical equipment. EU [is] always with Serbia in times of need,” EU ambassador to Belgrade Sem Fabrizi said on Twitter, adding: “Action not words.”

French President Emmanuel Macron has reportedly called for more power to be given to the European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, as member states, current and future, could lose trust in the institution as the health crisis unfolds.

In his phone call with Macron, Xi also appealed for support from the World Health Organisation.

“China is willing to work with France to jointly promote international cooperation on preventing and controlling the disease, and on supporting the UN [United Nations] and WHO in playing a core role in perfecting global public health management,” he said.

The call was the second in three days between the two leaders.

In a poll published on Friday, Macron’s popularity rating rose past 50 per cent for the first time since 2018, France24 reported. The result suggests the French public approves of the way in which he is handling the health crisis.

Xi’s telephone call to Spain was unusual in that he spoke to King Felipe, the ceremonial head of state who generally stays out of politics.

Nonetheless, Xi again pledged his support and willingness to share China’s experiences in handling the disease and treating patients, Xinhua said.

After three days of no new domestic infections in mainland China, some residents of 

Wuhan

, the Chinese city hardest hit by the disease, celebrated with fireworks as local authorities began removing checkpoints. Restrictions were also eased in other cities.

Beijing’s containment efforts are now focused on preventing imported cases. National Health Commission spokesman Mi Feng said on Saturday that the number of such infections had surged by 216 per cent to 269 on Friday, from just 85 on March 11. In the same period, the total number of infections worldwide had risen by 98 per cent.
“We have to strictly stop imported cases, step up epidemic control and avoid any rebound,” he said.
Source: SCMP

Posted in Angela Merkel, Belgrade, Berlin, coronavirus, COVID-19, epidemic control, Europe, European Commission, European Union, France, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor, Germany, Italy, King Felipe, National Health Commission, rebound, Serbia, Spain, Twitter, Uncategorized, Wuhan, Xi JinPing, Xinhua | Leave a Comment »

26/02/2020

Chinese state councilor holds talks with Serbian first deputy PM

CHINA-BEIJING-WANG YI-SERBIAN-IVICA DACIC-TALKS (CN)

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 26, 2020. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) — Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic Wednesday in Beijing.

Wang said that China and Serbia are like-minded brothers who stick with each other through thick and thin, good partners in jointly promoting the Belt and Road Initiative and good friends in advancing China-Europe cooperation.

He called on both sides to uphold the open and inclusive multilateralism, oppose any kind of bullying, and work together with the international society to build a community of shared future for mankind.

Noting that the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has been operating at a high level, Dacic said the novel coronavirus epidemic has not affected bilateral pragmatic cooperation in all fields.

The Serbian side openly and firmly supports the one-China principle, as well as China’s core interests and major concerns on Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong issues, he said.

Source: Xinhua

Posted in Beijing, Belt and Road Initiative, China-Europe cooperation, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Hong Kong, open and inclusive multilateralism, Serbia, Serbian, Taiwan, Uncategorized, Xinjiang | Leave a Comment »

11/11/2019

China’s Jingye Group agrees outline deal to rescue British Steel

BEIJING/LONDON (Reuters) – China’s Jingye Group said on Monday it has reached a provisional deal to buy British Steel and promised to invest 1.2 billion pounds ($1.5 billion) over the next decade and save thousands of jobs.

An agreement is of major political significance as Britain prepares to elect a new government on Dec. 12. The lack of opportunities in northern England, where British Steel is based, is an election issue, as the social gap between north and south widens.

The deal has yet to be finalised, but Business Minister Andrea Leadsom said in a video clip she was optimistic it would be.

Jingye Group Chairman Li Ganpo said the ambition was to create a world-class group.

“We believe that this combination will create a powerful, profitable and sustainable business that will ensure the long-term future of thousands of jobs while producing the innovative high-quality steel products that the world needs,” he said in a statement.

The value of the deal was not disclosed. Earlier a BBC report saying a deal was imminent gave a figure of 70 million pounds ($90 million), while sources close to the talks said the price was likely closer to 50 million pounds.

Uncertainty over the future of British Steel has hung over its workforce for much of the year. It was put into compulsory liquidation in May after Greybull Capital, which bought it for one pound from Tata Steel (TISC.NS) in 2016, failed to secure funding to continue its operations.

Its closure would impact 5,000 jobs in Scunthorpe and a further 20,000 jobs in the supply chain.

British Steel, which makes high-margin, long steel products used in construction and rail, would give Jingye access to Europe’s large infrastructure market.

But it could face challenges as the European steel industry grapples with weak demand, high costs for energy and labor and exacting environmental standards.

British Steel did not respond to requests for comment.

A previous deal, announced in August, with Turkey’s military pension fund OYAK fell apart and on Monday the fund said the purchase was not commercially viable.

British commodities tycoon Sanjeev Gupta’s Liberty Steel Group has also expressed interest in buying British Steel.

EMBRACE CHINA

Henri Murison, director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, set up to boost the economy in the north of England, said a rescue, if finalised, would be “very welcome news”.

He said it was time to embrace cooperation with China, which is extending its international reach through its Belt and Road global development strategy. Chinese companies also own a steel plant in Serbia and its sole copper mine.

Leading trade union Unite welcomed the prospect of Chinese ownership, but cautioned there had been “a series of false dawns” for the company.

Jingye, which also operates hotels and real estate, employs 23,500 and has registered capital of 39 billion yuan ($5.58 billion), giving it the financial clout to invest.

Under the terms of the agreement, Jingye would acquire certain assets of British Steel from the Official Receiver, subject to regulatory approvals.

The assets include the steelworks at Scunthorpe and Teesside in northern England, as well as its European units FN Steel in the Netherlands and British Steel France.

Chinese ownership may be contentious, especially in the steel industry. The European Union (EU), which does not include Serbia, has agreed safeguards to protect its own steel industry from competition from cheap imports from China and elsewhere.

Britain has said it will leave the EU but has yet to agree a deal on its departure from the political and economic bloc.

John Cullen,  business recovery partner  at accountancy firm Menzies LLP, said selling the whole British Steel business “in the current trading climate would be no mean feat”.

Source: Reuters

Posted in agrees, Belt and Road global development strategy, British Steel, China's, deal, environmental standards, European steel industry, European Union (EU), Jingye Group, Liberty Steel Group, Northern Powerhouse Partnership, Official Receiver, outline, rescue, Serbia, Tata Steel (TISC.NS), Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

28/05/2019

China, Serbia eye closer bilateral tie

CHINA-BEIJING-LI ZHANSHU-SERBIA-MEETING (CN)

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), meets with Veroljub Arsic, deputy speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

BEIJING, May 27 (Xinhua) — China’s top legislator Li Zhanshu Monday met with Veroljub Arsic, deputy speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia, here Monday, calling for closer bilateral ties.

Calling China and Serbia “sincere friends of each other,” Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), said the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership has been lifted to a new high under the guidance of the two heads of state.

Bilateral pragmatic cooperation has been at the forefront of the Belt and Road cooperation, Li added.

He called on both countries to consolidate traditional friendship, continue to firmly support each other on core interests and issues of major concern, set examples of political mutual trust, common development and people-to-people exchanges so as to build a closer community with shared interests and a shared future.

Li also called on the two legislatures to enhance cooperation in areas including legislation, supervision and governance in order to better implement the consensus of the two heads of state.

Arsic said the National Assembly of Serbia stands ready to intensify exchanges with the NPC and give full play to the cooperation committee between the legislatures of Serbia and China, to make new contributions to boosting practical cooperation between the two countries and friendship between the two peoples.

Source: Xinhua

Posted in Belt and Road Cooperation, bilateral ties, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China alert, China's top legislator, closer, comprehensive strategic partnership, deputy speaker, Li Zhanshu, National Assembly of Serbia, Serbia, Uncategorized, Veroljub Arsic | Leave a Comment »

11/05/2019

China, BiH, Serbia to remake classic movie “The Bridge”

SARAJEVO, May 10 (Xinhua) — An agreement has been signed in Beijing on recording a remake of the 1969 movie “The Bridge” by the Sarajevo Film Center (SFC), Shanghai Huahua Culture Media Co. Ltd and Dandelion Productions Inc. of Serbia, SFC Director Jasmin Durakovic told Xinhua on Friday.

Directed by Hajrudin “Siba” Krvavac, “The Bridge” tells the story of partisans during World War II who send an elite team of explosive experts to blow up a strategically important bridge.

Durakovic emphasized that all movies directed by Krvavac are precious cultural assets in the Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) film archives.

He hopes that the remake of “The Bridge” — and possibly also of “Walter Defends Sarajevo” — will present the culture of BiH and the region through the global language of the film to today’s audiences.

Durakovic said he was highly confident that the remake will attract audiences in the countries of the former Yugoslavia, in other European countries and even in the United States.

In a telephone interview with Xinhua, Huahua Chief Executive Officer Kefei Wang, said his company will use cutting-edge film technology to present this period of history and its heroes “so as to revitalize the classics and live up to the profound expectations of the people of China, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for movies.”

Production on the remake will begin in early 2020.

Source: Xinhua

Posted in Beijing, blow up, Bosnia, Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) film archives, Bridge, Dandelion Productions Inc. of Serbia, elite team, European countries, explosive experts, Hajrudin "Siba" Krvavac, Herzegovina, Huahua, Huahua Chief Executive Officer, Jasmin Durakovic, Kefei Wang, partisans, Sarajevo Film Center (SFC), Serbia, SFC Director, Shanghai Huahua Culture Media Co. Ltd, strategically important, The Bridge, Uncategorized, United States, Walter Defends Sarajevo, World War II, Xinhua, Yugoslavia | Leave a Comment »

20/04/2019

Xi to address Belt and Road forum next week: FM

CHINA-BEIJING-BRF-PRESS BRIEFING (CN)

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (C) speaks during a press briefing for the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2019. The second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will be held from April 25 to 27 in Beijing, Wang Yi announced Friday. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote speech at the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) to be held from April 25 to 27 in Beijing, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced Friday.

Leaders including heads of state and government from 37 countries will attend the forum’s roundtable summit, Wang told a press briefing.

Wang said 12 thematic forums and a CEO conference would be held on April 25, the opening ceremony and a high-level meeting on April 26, and the leaders’ roundtable on April 27.

Xi will attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech. He will also chair the leaders’ roundtable and brief media from home and abroad about the outcomes after the roundtable, Wang said, adding that Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan will also hold a welcoming banquet for the leaders and representatives.

According to Wang, the 37 countries are Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

The secretary-general of the United Nations and the managing director of the International Monetary Fund will attend the forum, Wang said, adding that senior representatives of France, Germany, Britain, Spain, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the European Union will also participate.

Noting that the BRF is the top-level platform for international cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, Wang said the conference next week would be of landmark significance.

The theme of the second BRF is “Belt and Road Cooperation, Shaping a Brighter Shared Future.” Wang said the main purpose is to promote the high-quality development of Belt and Road cooperation, which is the common aspiration of countries participating in the initiative.

Speaking highly of the fruitful results yielded since the initiative was launched in 2013, Wang said the second BRF was greatly welcomed worldwide with some 5,000 participants from more than 150 countries and 90 international organizations having confirmed their attendance, covering areas from five continents and different walks of life such as government, civil society, business and academia.

According to Wang, this year’s forum will have 12 thematic forums, twice of that during the first forum in 2017, and the CEO conference will be held for the first time. A joint communique will be released after the leaders’ roundtable and other consensus reached during the forum will be issued in a report.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by Xi in 2013, aims at enhancing all-around connectivity through infrastructure construction, exploring new driving force for the world economic growth, and building a new platform for world economic cooperation, according to Wang.

Stressing that Xi and leaders from other countries blueprinted the initiative in 2017, Wang said the progress in the past two years shows that the initiative conforms to the trend of the times featuring peace, development, cooperation and win-win and accords with the common aspiration of openness and joint development of all countries.

“As the host country, we will maintain close communication and coordination with all parties to prepare for the forum with openness, inclusiveness and transparency, upholding the principle of consultation and cooperation for shared benefits,” Wang said.

He said the forum would voice the firm support for multilateralism and an open world economy, enrich the principles of cooperation of the Belt and Road Initiative, build a network of partnership, and establish more mechanisms for high-quality development.

Bilateral, trilateral and multilateral cooperation has been reinforcing each other under the initiative, laying a solid foundation for a closer and more wide-ranging partnership, he said.

Wang said China will showcase the outcomes and introduce the measures of its reform and opening-up to the world, adding that this will allow China to share the dividends of its economic growth, promote the Belt and Road Initiative, and bring more opportunities to the development of all countries as well as the building of the Belt and Road.

“I believe that the forum will inject stronger impetus into the world economy, open even broader horizon for the development of the countries, and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, ” said Wang.

Source: Xinhua

Posted in Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belt and Road Cooperation, belt and road forum, Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF), Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, China alert, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, International Monetary Fund, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, managing director, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Russia, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, the Philippines, Uncategorized, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Wang Yi | Leave a Comment »

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