China to abolish visas for Serbian citizens months after President Xi Jinping visited Belgrade

China will abolish visas with Serbia in 2017 at the latest, Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Manchang announced on Friday, adding that in addition the Bank of China “will come to Belgrade,” Tanjug reported.

“Serbia was the first country in Europe with which China established a comprehensive strategic partnership – that is why, following our president Xi Jinping’s visit in June, Chinese delegations are flocking to Serbia,” Li told the RTS.

All this has led to more Chinese coming to Serbia and to more Serbs, who are our friends, going to China – the time has come to see how we can make it easier for people, business people and companies to visit either country, he said.

Li said he expected an official agreement to be signed in November, after which a visa-free regime would also take effect. China issues 7,000 visas to Serbian citizens annually, he said.

The news comes months after Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Serbia last June signing 22 agreements on finance, infrastructure, currency swaps, renewable energy and highway construction.

Beijing is steadily expanding its presence in South East Europe through its 16+1 “One Belt One Road” initiative which is designed to open up trade and business opportunities for Chinese firms in Central, South and Eastern Europe.