FORUM IN BEIJING
Strengthening People-to-People Exchanges and Cooperation,
Promoting Solidarity and Development December
9th 2021
Beijing Time: 15:30-17:00
Belgrade Time: 8:30-10:00

Zivadin Jovanovic,
President of the Belgrade Forum for a World of Equals

Honorable Mr. Speaker,
Dear Friends,
First of all, I would like to express sincere thanks to our host, the Secretariat of Silk Road NGO Cooperation Network (SIRONET) for the kind invitation. It is, indeed, great honor for me to be able to participate and to convey the best wishes of the Belgrade Forum for a World of Equals and of the Silk Road Connectivity Research Center (COREC), for successful work of this important Forum.
I take this opportunity to once again congratulate historic Jubilee of 100 years of the foundation and tremendous achievements of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Under the leadership of CPC, China has fulfilled the First Century Goal of building moderately prosperous society glorious in all aspects. We are convinced that China will be equally successful on a new journey toward the Second Century goal to build a modern socialist country.
Steady people centered CPC strategy made it possible to eliminate poverty, uplift living standard of people and, at the same time, build Chinese economy second largest in the world. It is globally recognized that the policy of opening up and reform has been of crucial importance for all magnificent achievements. Building scientifically system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, pursuing unique overall social, economic, scientific, technological and cultural development and maintaining stability, in parallel, has become well of inspiration for many developing countries faced with challenges similar to those of China in the past century.  
Today China is the global leader of peace, inclusive global development and the New Multi-polar World Order based sovereign equality and noninterference in internal affairs.  
Dear Friends,
The theme of our today’s forum - Strengthening People-to-People Exchange and Cooperation, Promoting Solidarity and Development, generally speaking, has always been important. In this era of historic global changes, growing interdependence, challenges and serious crises, however, the need for people-to-people connectivity has become one of the essential preconditions for achieving sustainable common wellbeing and prosperity of the whole humanity. China’s understanding of solidarity and global development is reflected in many fields and aspects. China has been the only country in the world providing global assistance to other countries and nations all. While some of the richest countries have shown inward and even egoistic approach, China acted openly sending doctors, vaccines and equipment to every corner of the world while successfully continuing fight for prevention and control of pandemic at home. The best illustration of China’s attitude toward global development is the global BRI initiative supported by 120 countries and 40 international organizations, 16+1 format of cooperation and greatest contribution to the UN 2030 Development agenda.    

Dear Friends,
 Olympics have always been symbol of peace, togetherness, mutual understanding and friendship. Some Western countries, however, are trying to abuse the forthcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing for narrow political purposes and meddling in internal affairs of China, thus trying to sew misunderstanding discord and divisions. Our answer is – such attitude is unacceptable, counterproductive. The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics will be the great global contribution to People to people exchange.

There is particular a reason today, to say that the contemporary world is not in need of divisions, new alignments exclusive clubs, power politics. The world and humanity are in need of understanding, partnership and solidarity in solving common challenges, such as, Covid 19 pandemic, climate changes, looming socio-economic crisis, massive migration and terrorism. Everybody should understand that every country has the right to freely choose own socio-economic system, internal and foreign policy. Nobody has the right to prescribe what is democracy and what is not. Democracy is not export commodity. It cannot be imposed by force or blackmail. More than ever, we need intensification of direct exchange and contacts in the fields of health, culture, education, science, sports, publishing. Geographic distances remain relevant for transport, logistics and physical connectivity, in general. Otherwise, as human beings, as inhabitants of the “global village”, we all are each other’s neighbor. Thus, in order to facilitate mutual understanding, to rid ourselves of any possible prejudices, to live and work in harmony, to free the space for interaction, creativity and synergy - we need to know each other much better.  Therefore, there exist the vast field for activity and the need for appropriate contributions of different associations, think-tanks, scholars and research organizations. Our host CIRONET has already achieved remarkable results in initiating, uniting and coordinating the NGO activities not only within China but also on international level. This role has been all the more important in the period of Covid 19 pandemic which has appeared and continues to be, quite unexpected and unusual challenge. We fully support strengthening of such role of CIRONET and adaptation to the future realities.
The Belgrade Forum for a World of Equals and COREC have been cooperating with many other associations and think tank organizations in Serbia, Europe, Asia, America and China interested in strengthening People to people Exchanges and cooperation, promoting solidarity and Development, especially those from the countries along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and within 1+16 cooperation format. Belgrade Forum is also one of founding members of SRTA (Silk Road Think Tank Association) established in 2016 in Shenzhen. Pandemic Covid 19 has adversely affected intensity of contacts but has not changed the substance and continuity of cooperation. Our positive approach to this cooperation has been reflected in our participation to various national and international conferences and forums (Tianjin, Heinan, Boa, China; Lichtenstein; Frankfurth, Germany; Belgrade, Serbia; Torino, Italy), in continuity we presented in national, Chinese and international mass media, in serving as a focal point and reference source to researchers of BRI. In addition, we have been publishing the works facilitating spread of knowledge, understanding and cooperation with China. COREC has already published the book titled “Connecting in Chinese Way”, authored by Ambassador Aleksandar Jankovic. Another two books - first titled “About Socialist System with Chinese Characteristics”, authored by Chinese scholar He Jiting, and second, titled “Strategic Partners: Serbia and China”, by Belgrade Forum, are in preparations.
We believe that we will be able to continue and further strengthen our cooperation in the field of people to people exchange. Two cultural centers, Serbian in Beijing and Chinese in Belgrade, will certainly encourage this process while no visa system established between our two countries a couple of years ago, has already removed one administrative braking device.

Dear Friends,
In closing, please allow me to say a few words on Serbia – China relations.
Serbia and China are guided by the same principles and objectives in international relations: peace, win-win cooperation, noninterference, inclusive development and multipolar World Order based on sovereign equality. The two countries have been traditional friends, developing mutually beneficial cooperation in many fields. During the historic official visit of the President Xi Jinping in June 2016 the two countries signed the document on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which has been the basis for enlargement and further strengthening of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Up to now China has committed over 6 billion of USD in modernization of Serbia’s infrastructure, industry, water purification, food production, health protection, security and defense. Two Chinese companies have become two largest exporters from Serbia – Steel factory “Hesteel”, Smederevo and “Zijin”, Bor. Serbia remains very active partner in the global Belt and Road Initiative and in CEEC+China cooperation format, since their inception. Two countries support each other in the UN and other international forums. Serbia. It is of strategic importance that China as the permanent member of UN SC is one of the steadiest supporters of Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and solution of the status of the Province of Kosovo and Metohija in accordance with international law, especially, on the basis of UN SC resolution No. 1244, and that Serbia is firm in supporting One China Policy. Serbia is grateful to China for the large and unselfish assistance in preventing and controlling the Covid 19 pandemic, in terms of sending doctors, providing laboratories, vaccines, equipment and even medical factories. This was proof in practice as to how China views solidarity.

Thank you.