Zhuang Jiahan (right), mayor of Xiamen, meets with former president of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic on Nov 2. [Photo/fo.xm.gov.cn]
Former president of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic visited Xiamen, Fujian province, from Nov 1 to 3 to seek broader cooperation with the coastal city.
Zhuang Jiahan, mayor of Xiamen, briefed the former president at a meeting on the achievements the city has made in social and economic development since China's reform and opening-up policy was introduced four decades ago and its advantages in industrial development.
Zhuang spoke highly of Nikolic's attempts at promoting Serbia's cooperation with Xiamen-based Zijin Mining Group, a leading metal producer in China.
He said he expected both sides will expand their cooperation in trade, investment and tourism to realize common development.
Nikolic marveled at China's rapid development and praised the achievements Xiamen has made over the past 40 years.
Nikolic said he hoped that the two sides will further advance their cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to forge an even closer relationship.
As president of Serbia's National Committee for Cooperation with Russia and China, Nikolic also promised to offer strong support to companies from the two countries that are involved in investment and development in his country.
Founded in June 2017, the National Committee for Cooperation with Russia and China is responsible for maintaining and strengthening Serbia's relations with Russia and China and implementing the BRI.
China announced and implemented on May 15 a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.
China and Georgia are set to waive visa requirements for travelers starting May 28.
