Vučić praises Xi Jinping, cites Chinese role in saving Serbia’s steel industry

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has praised Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying he will “never forget” China’s intervention in helping to stabilise Serbia’s struggling steel industry.

Speaking about the period when Serbia’s steel mill in Smederevo was facing heavy financial losses, Vučić said the government had unsuccessfully sought assistance internationally for years, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

“For more than four years I was seeking, searching, asking, begging all over the world to start taking care of our steel mill. Because we were losing 12 million US dollars monthly. [....] Everything was unsuccessful,” he said.

He added that Xi Jinping personally agreed to visit both Belgrade and the industrial town of Smederevo, where the steel plant is located.

“President Xi accepted to go not only to Belgrade but to that smaller place, Smederevo — an hour and a half away. He addressed the workers and promised them China will solve this problem.”

Vučić said China’s involvement proved decisive for the facility and Serbia’s industrial stability.

“In politics there is nothing that lasts less than gratitude. But that is not the case with us. I will never forget it. He saved us at that particular moment.”

By Sabina Mammadli