China concludes FTA with Serbia...first such case among Central and Eastern European countries

China signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with Serbia on the 17th. On this day, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced that Director Wang Wongtao and Serbian Minister of Domestic and Foreign Trade met with President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
The agreement was signed in the presence of President Kusandar Vučić. This FTA is the first FTA concluded between China and a Central and Eastern European country, and the 22nd FTA concluded by China.
It's TA. The two countries reportedly began negotiations in April and effectively concluded them last month. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated that the FTA is an important step to implement the agreement reached by the leaders of the two countries.
"This is an important outcome of the 3rd Belt and Road International Cooperation Summit Forum." The Ministry of Commerce said, ``Through the FTA, the two countries will achieve a high level of mutual openness, prepare for economic and trade cooperation, and encourage companies from both countries.
"We will create a more convenient and stable business environment for everyone." Meanwhile, China will hold the 3rd Belt and Road Summit Forum in Beijing from today until the 18th. First time since 2019
The forum will be held for the first time in history and will be attended by leaders from more than 130 countries and officials from more than 30 international organizations. President Putin of Russia, Kenya, Chile, Indonesia, Serbia, Laos
・The leaders of Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and other countries will participate in the forum and plan to strengthen cooperation through the meeting. According to Russian state news agency RIA, President Putin and President Xi
Discuss ideas that could stop the war in Palestine. China and Russia criticize US support for Israel and support the Palestinians, while urging a peaceful end to the conflict.