Serbian capital prepares warm welcome for ‘steel friend’ Chinese President Xi Jinping
- The Chinese leader is visiting on the 25th anniversary of Nato’s bombing of the country’s embassy in Belgrade and is expected to pay his respects on Wednesday
- In an article for a local newspaper, Xi wrote: ‘The Chinese people value peace, but they will never allow a historical tragedy to repeat itself’
Serbia is preparing to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping when he arrives in the country later on Tuesday – the 25th anniversary of Nato’s bombing of the country’s embassy in Belgrade.
Ahead of his arrival from France more than a dozen vans could be seen parked in front of the site of the old embassy building, now a Chinese cultural centre, that is not officially open to the public.
Several overseas Chinese, wearing red caps and badges with the words “China-Serbia Friendship” printed in Chinese characters, were there to prepare for the visit.
According to one staff member, Xi is expected to pay his respects on Wednesday before heading to Hungary for the final leg of the tour.
There are two small monuments at the site. One commemorates the three Chinese journalists killed in the incident, inscribed with the words ‘“honour martyrs, cherish peace” and their names. The other was erected by the city of Belgrade to thank China for its support.
In front of the monument to the victims, a large number of flowers laid by previous visitors had been mostly cleared away, leaving only three baskets.