25 September 2024  The National Assembly Deputy Speaker and Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Head of the delegation of the Ethnic Affairs Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress

25 September 2024 The National Assembly Deputy Speaker and Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Head of the delegation of the Ethnic Affairs Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress

Wednesday, 25 September 2024

Ragus Hosts Chinese National People’s Congress Ethnic Affairs Committee Delegation

National Assembly Deputy Speaker and Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marina Ragus, met today with a delegation of the Chinese National People’s Congress Ethnic Affairs Committee (in the National Assembly.


At the very beginning of the meeting, Ragus expressed her satisfaction with the meeting, expressing the hope that this would be one in a series of meetings with the delegation. "An important fact that I would like to emphasise is the visit of the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, because it is the moment when our bilateral relations moved from the strategic level to the highest level of cooperation. In today's geopolitical world, which is full of challenges, where we often talk about war and not peace, we believe that the policy of peace and stability is in fact the revitalisation of the United Nations Charter, the only path to follow," said Ragus. She added that the recognition of a multipolar world, non-interference in the internal affairs of countries, active peaceful coexistence, with the acceptance of all the idiosyncrasies and differences of all nations and states, is the only correct path, which the presidents of our countries, Mr Aleksandar Vucic and Mr Xi Jinping, have confirmed by their international actions. She said that the Parliamentary Friendship Group with China in the National Assembly has 101 members and represents the largest Parliamentary Friendship Group with one country, and is very active through study visits and exchange of parliamentary visits. Ragus pointed out that in this way MPs have the opportunity to become familiar with the politics and culture of the People's Republic of China and the business operations of Chinese companies in Serbia. "Our two parliaments enjoy a high level of cooperation, every year we meet to discuss specific topics, and this year in Beijing, with the chairpersons of the most important committees of the National Assembly." Speaking about parliamentary cooperation, she pointed out that the National Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabic sent an official invitation to the Chairman of the Chinese People's Congress Zhao Leji. "As I am also the Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, I must emphasise the importance of our mutual support and cooperation in all important international forums, in the context of the revitalisation of the UN Charter and the Statement we signed on a common future in the new era. On this occasion, allow me to thank you immensely for the support you give to the Republic of Serbia within the framework of the UN. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is currently at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, where he spoke last night. Messages of peace with respect for the Charter of the United Nations are proof of our common understanding of geopolitical challenges and relations," the Deputy Speaker concluded.

The Head of the Chinese delegation thanked the Deputy Speaker for the hospitality and the opportunity to meet, stressing that the steely friendship between Serbia and China continues to grow, as is confirmed by numerous joint projects between the two countries, as well as extremely strong parliamentary ties. He stated that such meetings open the door to new chapters for cooperation. He noted that the results of the joint projects are already visible and that economic exchange has increased by 30% compared to the previous year. He said that 56 ethnic groups live in China and that the goal of the Chinese National People’s Congress Ethnic Affairs Committee is to strengthen China at the local level and modernise the Chinese provinces. He added that besides the strong ties between the two countries, he sees the strengthening of relations in education, science and sports, and that political cooperation is the cornerstone for expanding the areas in which Serbia and China can work together.

He added that territorial integrity and sovereignty are issues of great importance for both countries, and Ragus stated that for Serbia there is one China and that Serbia will not deviate from the respect of international public law of territorial integrity and sovereignty. The officials concluded the meeting by agreeing to continue deepening parliamentary cooperation, with as many mutual visits as possible.

The meeting was also attended by Foreign Affairs Committee members Biljana Pantic Pilja, Tanja Radjenovic and Aleksandar Mirkovic.


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tuesday, 29 april
  • 18.30 - National Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabic meets with the European Commissioner for Enlargement (National Assembly House, 13 Nikola Pasic Square)

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