STORY: Serbian official praises China-Serbia relations
SHOOTING TIME: May 8, 2024
DATELINE: May 9, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:16
LOCATION: Belgrade
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the

STORYLINE:

A Serbian official has praised the collaboration between Serbia and China, saying that the new free trade agreement between the two countries will foster closer people-to-people exchanges.

The agreement, scheduled to take effect on July 1, was signed last year at the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. It is focused on eliminating tariffs on 90 percent of goods.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ALEKSANDAR PAVIC, Member of Serbian Parliament
"The opening of a Chinese market with a free trade agreement, exchange - academic exchange, student exchanges, those are very, very, very important. 
China is at the forefront now in many high technologies. Its educational system, especially higher education is becoming better by the day, and it's very important for young people to be able to have an opportunity to study in China, not just in the West.
We know what the Chinese vision of the shared future for the entire planet is, and it's a very positive vision. It's a vision of mutual peaceful cooperation. It should be welcomed by all countries."

Pavic also expressed optimism about the bilateral relations.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ALEKSANDAR PAVIC, Member of Serbian Parliament
"As far as China and Serbia are concerned, I think that both sides are really eager to improve relations even more.
I think that Serbian-Chinese relationship can only develop in a positive way. If you ask both the Serbian people and Serbian government, we are all for expanding relations with China, to further develop it in the way it has already developed.
I expect this relationship to blossom, to be an example in international relations, of a good, excellent, clean relationship, between two countries, and I think that it will be a very good example for others, especially in Europe, because Europe needs to open."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Belgrade.
(XHTV)