Chinese President Xi Jinping is using his visit to Serbia to denounce the 1999 NATO bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, which resulted in the deaths of three Chinese journalists.
In a letter published by Serbian outlet Politika, Xi wrote that this incident should never be forgotten and that the Chinese people value peace but will not allow such a tragedy to occur again.
Xi Jinping (Credits: Reddit)
The bombing occurred during NATO’s military intervention in Yugoslavia, aimed at protecting Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian majority from Slobodan Milošević’s forces. While NATO officials claimed the embassy was mistakenly struck, China has long disputed this claim, with many believing it was a deliberate attack.
Xi’s visit to Serbia is part of his first European trip in five years, including stops in France and Hungary. As part of its Belt and Road Initiative, China has been actively pursuing opportunities to strengthen ties with the Balkan region and is now the largest foreign investor in Serbia.
China’s Xi (Credits: Bloomberg.com)
Xi will meet with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić during his visit to discuss bilateral agreements and strengthen strategic partnerships. China’s growing presence in the Balkans and Europe is a major aspect of its global expansion, and its relationship with Serbia is a key component of this strategy.
The legacy of the 1999 bombing continues to be felt, with many in China still expressing outrage and skepticism over NATO’s account of events. Xi’s visit and statements serve as a reminder of the enduring impact of this incident on China’s relations with the West.
