Xi's visit to solidify robust ties
China DailyXi's trip to Serbia and Hungary, two of China's long-standing partners in Europe, has also been eagerly anticipated by leaders of both countries. The ironclad ties between China and Serbia are underpinned by robust economic and trade relations — bilateral trade volume between China and Serbia has increased eightfold over the past decade, and China has maintained its position as Serbia's second-largest trading partner for several years. Feng, the Institute of European Studies director, said there is immense potential to build up people-to-people ties between China and Serbia, with both nations sharing a strong sense of cultural affinity toward each other. Peter Szijjarto, Hungary's minister of foreign affairs and trade, said in a recent interview with China Central Television that it is a "great honor" for his country to host the Chinese president on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Beijing and Budapest. Feng said that for China, "building up ties with Hungary, an EU member, will help clear up misunderstandings of Brussels and strengthen mutual trust with other EU members".