In April 2016, the century-old Smederevo Steel Plant, known as "the pride of Serbia", got a new name —Hebei Iron and Steel Group Serbia Company(HBIS Serbia). In June 2016, when visiting this new plant, President Xi Jinping pointed out that the cooperation between Chinese and Serbian enterprises sets out a new chapter of collaboration in production capacity between our two countries. This not only promotes our traditional friendship but also reflects our resolution to deepen reforms and achieve win-win progress.
“Promises must be kept; actions must be resolute.” Just a few months after this acquisition, Hebei Iron and Steel Group has turned the century-old steel plant, which was on the brink of collapse, into a profitable one. In 2018, the company achieved sales revenue of $1.05 billion and become the largest exporter in Serbia. At present, the output value and technical indicators of this company have reached the best level since the establishment of the old steel plant 109 years ago, contributing nearly 2% to Serbia's GDP. It is remarkable that with the win-win belief of “localization of benefits, recruitment and culture”, HBIS Serbia honor its commitment to ensure the employment of over 5,000 local people. Thanks to the cooperation between China and Serbia, old Smederevo Steel Plant revives, playing a vital role in promoting local employment, improving people’s living level and boosting Serbian economy.
In order to give full play to the advantages of local employees and improve their professional skills, since 2017, the Academy for International Business Officials(AIBO), MOFCOM, together with HBIS Serbia, has successively held 14 seminars on international production capacity cooperation for Serbia, training more than 1,000 employees. The COVID-19 pandemic had hindered employees from coming to China, but it had not cut the steel-like friendship between China and Serbia. As the pandemic is still lingering, AIBO held two online seminars on Serbia's international production capacity cooperation in September and October this year respectively.
Opening Ceremony
"This seminar helps us improve production efficiency and strengthen cost control"
The participants are full of expectations for the seminar. Mr. Vladimir Petrovic, head of the training department of HBIS Serbia, said excitedly at the opening ceremony, "After two years of fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, we have regained a new opportunity from China to start learning, improve our skills and promote international cooperation with overseas partners."
One of the participants said gratefully, "The content of this seminar is abundant and easy to understand, which provides very valuable ideas that benefit me a lot. This will help us further improve production efficiency and product quality, strengthen cost control, and also provide a good example for the future planning of our steel plants. I will share what I have learned with my colleagues and put it into use in my work. I hope I will have the opportunity to visit HBIS Tangsteel in the future to see the world's top steel plants."
"I believe the Belt and Road Initiative is our future"
Serbia is the first country in Central and Eastern Europe to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with China and is one of the countries in the region actively participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. Committed to the Initiative, HBIS Group followed the instructions of President Xi Jinping during his visit in HBIS Serbia, working to turn HBIS Serbia into the largest exporter in Serbia, the company employing the largest amount of the Serbian population and finally a landmark project for Belt and Road Initiative and international production capacity cooperation.
During the seminar, Professor Xie Wenze, from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, taking the “Four Relationships” as a starting point, gave a detailed account of China's achievements in reform and opening up and economic development. Jin Ling, a researcher from China Institute of International Studies, introduced the development process of the Belt and Road Initiative from the aspects of its background, principles and priorities. She also conducted discussions and exchanges with the participants on the relationship between the Belt and Road Initiative and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Nenad Botić, deputy operation director of the sintering plant in HBIS Serbia, said, “Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Chinese people have made remarkable achievements after more than 40 years of hard work since the reform and opening up. China is writing the history of global development and playing an increasingly important role in global affairs. I believe the Belt and Road Initiative is our future, and I am honored to make my own contribution to the cooperation between our two countries. I sincerely hope to have the opportunity to visit China and see its development with my own eyes.”
“I will never forget China’s assistance to Serbia”
For Serbia, China is the most trustworthy friend, and vise versa. Both China and Serbia have similar experiences of being bullied by hegemonies. The two countries respect each other's interests and major concerns, and support and respond to each other on issues concerning national sovereignty and regional situation. The unbreakable and steel-like friendship between China and Serbia is reflected in politics, economy, trade and the fight against COVID-19. When major countries in Europe and the United States were scrambling for COVID-19 vaccines, China immediately donated 1 million doses of its domestic COVID-19 vaccine to Serbia. Serbian President Aleksandar President Vucic went to the airport in person to accept those supplies and expressed openly his admiration and love for China on many occasions.
"Both countries have suffered so much that they understand each other," said Mr. Botić, I am grateful to Chinese government for its assistance in Serbia's fight against the pandemic, especially the donation of medical supplies during the toughest period. Serbian people will never forget these. The friendship between Serbia and China will be as strong as steel. We look forward to opening our arms and strengthening cooperation to create a better world for our future generations."
True gold stands the test of fire, and so is our friendship to adversity. Despite the EU’s sugar-coated bullets and actions giving pressure on Serbia to take sides, President Vucic makes it clear that China is always Serbia's friend and Serbia will always maintain good relations with China. The series of seminars tailored for HBIS Serbia is only an epitome of China-Serbia friendship and all-round practical cooperation. In the future, taking the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress as the guidance, AIBO will continue to practice Xi Jinping Thought on Foreign Affairs, carry out cooperation projects on human resources development, contributing to consolidating and deepening friendly cooperation with Serbia and other developing countries, expanding China’s friend circle and seeking common prosperity and development.
