Chinese President Xi Jinping and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic jointly attend a signing ceremony of cooperation documents after their talks in Beijing, capital of China, May 25, 2026. Xi held talks with Vucic, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

BEIJING, May 25 (Xinhua) -- China and Serbia should better align development strategies, implement the mid-term action plan for Belt and Road cooperation, and advance cooperation in transport and energy infrastructure among others, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday.

Xi made the remarks when holding talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who is on a state visit to China.

Against the backdrop of a new scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, the two sides should expand cooperation in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, green energy and advanced manufacturing to foster new growth drivers, he said.

Xi also called on both countries to leverage visa exemption policies, the free trade agreement and direct flights to expand all-round cooperation in culture, education, sports, tourism and sub-national exchanges. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, May 25, 2026. Xi held talks with Vucic, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his wife Tamara Vucic prior to the talks between Xi and Vucic in Beijing, capital of China, May 25, 2026. Xi held talks with Vucic, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan hold a welcome ceremony for Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his wife Tamara Vucic in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to the talks between Xi and Vucic in Beijing, capital of China, May 25, 2026. Xi held talks with Vucic, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, May 25, 2026. Xi held talks with Vucic, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)