New Chinese ambassador to Serbia presents credentials to Serbian president

Li Manchang, China's new ambassador to Serbia presented his letter of credence to Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic at a ceremony that was held at Palace Serbia on Tuesday.

Before presenting the letters Li delivered to Nikolic a message from Chinese president Xi Jinping, voicing support to the Serbian-Chinese strategic partnership launched last year during Nikolic's visit to Beijing.

In his speech Li praised the traditional friendship between Serbia and China that "stood the test of time," and promised that he will work hard to make the relations even better.

"Thanks to the efforts made by both sides, cooperation on large infrastructural projects such as the bridge over the Danube in Belgrade, the Kostolac thermal power plant and the E763 highway is developing well," said the new ambassador.

Accepting the credential from the new Chinese ambassador Nikolic said that Serbia highly appreciates the principled stand of China not to recognize the unilaterally proclaimed independence of its southern province Kosovo and Metohija.

He stressed that the two countries will continue to support each other in essential matters.

"Serbia is going through an important chapter in its development, when it has to bring some important and complex decisions. I am sure that we will have support of your country in that process," Nikolic told the ambassador.

He said that main priorities to Serbia are to create a favorable business environment and attract foreign investors.