China eyes high-tech projects in Serbia

The Chinese government will encourage local companies to invest not only in traditional industries or infrastructure in Serbia, but also in high technology, the vice chairman of the 12th standing committee of China National People's Congress, Ji Bingxuan, said during a meeting with Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic, as quoted in a statement by Vucic's office.

The introduction of a regular Belgrade-Beijing flight and the elimination of visas for the citizens of both countries will contribute to the development of bilateral cooperation in tourism, Vucic and Bingxuan said.

"For Serbia, it is of utmost importance that it is invited to become part of the Chinese international initiative One Belt, One Road and to take part in the cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC)," Vucic said.

Earlier this month, Serbian infrastructure minister Zorana Mihajlovic said on Thursday China's investments in the country under the One Belt, One Road initiative currently stand at 5.5 billion euro ($6.1 billion).