Serbia’s Vučić to visit China, signals potential meeting with Putin

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has announced he may meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his upcoming visit to China in early September. The two leaders are expected to participate in events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Chinese people's victory over Japanese aggression.

"I'm going to China on a five-day trip from 1 to 6 of September. I've been told that Putin will also be there, so I may meet with him," Vučić told reporters, according to TASS news agency.

"I have heard that Trump may also come, but I’m not sure."

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. With more than 35 million military and civilian casualties during World War II, China celebrates Victory Day on the 3rd of September, marking the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on the 2nd of September, 1945.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping will host a gala dinner on the 3rd of September. The event will be jointly organized by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the China Media Group, the Political Work Department of the China Military Commission and the Beijing municipal government, according to the State Council Information Office.

China has invited global leaders, former political dignitaries, high-level officials and heads of international organizations to the celebration.

"Apart from that, I’ve been invited to another dinner, on the 5th of September, during the celebrations which is to be hosted by one of global leaders. So, I was asked to stay until the 5th September. The host has not been announced yet for security reasons," Vucic told reporters.

Last time, President Xi Jinping met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Moscow on the sidelines of the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union. 

China is Serbia's second biggest trading partner and has expressed interest to deepen strategic communication, enhance mutual support, strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, continue supporting the construction and operation of relevant projects, give full play to their demonstrative effect, and achieve mutual benefits.

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