Defense Ministry signs donation protocol with China

BELGRADE - Officials of the Serbian and Chinese defense ministries signed Wednesday in Belgrade a protocol on the EUR 350,000 donation in medical supplies and equipment to be provided by the Chinese ministry.

The protocol was signed by Head of the Military Medicine Department Brigadier General Zoran Popovic and official at the Chinese Ministry of National Defense Senior Colonel Wang Haibin.

Serbian Defense Minister Bratislav Gasic, who attended the protocol signing ceremony at the Ministry of Defense along with China's newly-appointed Ambassador to Serbia Li Manchang, underlined that the donation will significantly replenish medical stocks of the Serbian Armed Forces.

He noted that the Chinese government already provided substantial aid to the Serbian army on several occasions, specifically pointing out the donation in excess of USD 2 billion granted last year.
"There is strong potential for establishing a closer military-to-military, military technical and military medical cooperation with China,” the minister stressed.

Ambassador Li, in his first official function since assuming office on Tuesday, said that he will make every effort to promote the development of Serbian-Chinese relations, including the cooperation in the area of defense.

The people of China feel a strong bond with the people of Serbia. The two nations have always stood together and we remember that Serbia helped us at a time when help was most needed, said Li.

The government of China also provided aid and support to Serbia after the floods that devastated the country in May, the Chinese ambassador said.

This aid is a symbol of support and affection of the Chinese people, added Li.

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