Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic speaks at an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Beijing, capital of China, May 26, 2026. TO GO WITH "Interview: Serbia-China ironclad friendship unbreakable: Serbian president" (Xinhua/Li He)

BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhua) -- In an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Beijing on Tuesday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic fondly spoke about Chinese President Xi Jinping awarding him the Friendship Medal, while also hailing the Serbia-China ironclad friendship and sharing the impressions on his China visit and his expectations for bilateral ties.

At the invitation of President Xi, Vucic paid a state visit to China from May 24 to 28. On Monday evening, Xi awarded him the Friendship Medal, the highest honorary medal of the People's Republic of China bestowed on foreign nationals.

"It was really an honor and privilege to get the medal, to get it from President Xi. That was a very special moment for myself and for my country as well," said Vucic, calling it "a real praise" for something that he was working on.

On Tuesday, Vucic visited Tsinghua University, the Museum of the Communist Party of China and Xiaomi's automobile factory, all in Beijing.

"Speaking of the museum and the car factory, one is very modern -- one of the top-notch EV factories in the world, and that museum goes to the past," Vucic said in explaining the arrangement of his itinerary, adding that it demonstrates how China dreams big and aims high, enabling it to reach the level where it is today.

At Tsinghua University, Vucic shared his thoughts with the students.

"I said to them, nothing will come out of the blue, you have to work hard. What made this country is people's dedication, devotion and hard work," the president noted. "If they keep on working like they used to, I have no doubt about China's future."

Vucic also recalled Xi's first state visit to Serbia back in 2016.

"The words of President Xi meant everything to us. He promised that the steel mill in a small place of Smederevo would work, and it still works."

During Vucic's latest visit to China, the two sides issued a joint statement on continuously promoting the building of a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era.

"Now we are elevating our relationship to another level, and we opened our discussions with new topics, new fields, and new spheres of possible cooperation in the future, like AI, robotics and high-tech innovations," said Vucic, adding that this means the two sides are starting new chapters, sector by sector and field by field, in future development plans.

This year marks the start of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period, and Vucic spoke highly of China's long-term planning philosophy.

"Without planning, there is nothing that one can do. This is why I am a big admirer of China. Apart from hard work, determination and a devoted approach, it's planning, planning, planning," he said.

"I am absolutely certain that we'll be able to reach new heights in our relationship," he said, adding that this is for the sake of both countries and of both peoples.

Vucic also highlighted how China and Serbia have always stood by each other in times of adversity.

When the Wenchuan earthquake struck in 2008, the Serbian government rushed emergency tent supplies to China; and when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, China provided Serbia with multiple batches of medical protective equipment.

The two countries have always supported each other on issues concerning their core interests and coordinated closely in international affairs.

"I'll tell you an example. If you ask me something about Taiwan, I'll say to you, the one-China principle is the only principle that exists. Full stop," he said.

"I can remember that China was very supportive to us when some big Western powers were going after us in the United Nations General Assembly. And I will never forget it. This is what I call friendship," he added.

Calling Serbia and China "ironclad friends," Vucic said once the friendship is "proven in difficult times, then no one can break it in easy times."

The world today longs for stability and peace, and China represents just that, said Vucic, noting that people across the Global South, not only in Serbia, see China as a vital source of stability. He expressed confidence that China will play an even greater role in global governance.

At the close of the Xinhua interview, he extended greetings to the Chinese people, inviting them to visit Serbia.

"Long live the friendship between China and Serbia!" Vucic said.