Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with Liu Jingzhen, chairman of China National Pharmaceutical Group Co Ltd (Sinopharm), in Belgrade on Dec 3, 2022.

President Vucic meets with Chairman Liu. [Photo/sinopharm.com] 

Vucic expressed his gratitude to Sinopharm for its assistance in Serbia’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. He said that the Serbian people hold deep affection for the Chinese people, and China is Serbia's most reliable friend. Fully understanding the importance of social stability and people’s health, Serbia greatly values its friendly relationship with China, and especially with Sinopharm. He said he hopes long-term and stable cooperation with Sinopharm can help the health of the Serbian people.

Liu said that Sinopharm values its cooperation with Serbia. With the support of President Vucic, the two sides have made progress in various cooperative initiatives, laying a solid foundation for further cooperation.

Following the instructions of the two countries’ leaders and guided by the spirit of the comprehensive strategic partnership, Sinopharm will work hard to establish joint ventures in Serbia and advance medical service projects to contribute to the development of Serbia’s medical and health sector and the well-being of its people. 

Representatives from the two sides attend a meeting. [Photo/sinopharm.com] 

Liu briefed Vucic on the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and presented him with a commemorative album about the history of the CPC. The two sides also discussed cooperation in vaccine production and the implementation of healthcare projects. Other Serbian and Chinese officials, managers and scientists also attended the meeting.

An airplane carrying the flags of both China and Serbia arrived in Belgrade on March 21, 2020, carrying 16 tons of medical supplies and equipment donated by Sinopharm to Serbia. Vucic delivered a speech at the airport, expressing his gratitude to China and the wish of Serbia for a long-lasting friendship with China. After his speech, Vucic kissed China’s national flag.

President Vucic kisses China’s national flag. [Photo/sinopharm.com] 

The first batch of COVID-19 vaccines produced by China National Biotec Group Company Limited (CNBG), a subsidiary of Sinopharm, arrived in Belgrade on Jan 16, 2021.Vucic, along with some government officials, waited for the arrival of the vaccine despite the harsh weather.

President Vucic waits for the arrival of the vaccine. [Photo/sinopharm.com] 

In an interview with RTS1, Serbian’s popular TV channel, Vucic praised the quality of Chinese COVID-19 vaccines on Jan 24, 2021. He extensively introduced the Chinese vaccines on TV and later shared the photos on his Instagram account.

President Vucic gives an interview to RTS1. [Photo/sinopharm.com] 

The third shipment of Sinopharm’s COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Serbia on March 5, 2021, which also marked the birthday of Vucic. He went to the airport once again and posted a video on social media, expressing his gratitude.

President Vucic highly praises the bilateral relations. [Photo/sinopharm.com] 

Vucic had a video conference with Chairman Liu on March 18, 2021. They discussed deepening the cooperation between the two sides and promoting localized production of COVID-19 vaccines in Serbia. A contract for the purchase of vaccines was signed. The meeting was also attended by other officials from China and Serbia.

President Vucic has a video conference with Chairman Liu. [Photo/sinopharm.com] 

Vucic received the first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine in the village of Rudna Glava in the municipality of Majdanpek in eastern Serbia on April 6, 2021.

President Vucic receives the first dose of vaccine. [Photo/sinopharm.com] 

He received the second dose on April 27, 2021 in the village of Pukovac in south Serbia.

President Vucic receives the second dose of vaccine. [Photo/sinopharm.com] 

The groundbreaking ceremony for the vaccine factory in Serbia was held in Belgrade on Sept 9, 2021. Vucic said that the completion of the vaccine factory would be of great significance not only to Serbia and its people, but also to the Balkan region, and it would be built to the highest technological standards. It is expected to have an annual production capacity of 30 million doses, with a potential capacity of 40 million doses.

In addition to meeting the domestic demand, the remaining vaccines will be exported to other countries and regions. Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Chen Bo, CNBG’s Vice-President Yang Huichuan and other officials attended the meeting in Belgrade. Sinopharm’s Chairman Liu Jingzhen, CNBG’s Chairman Yang Xiaoming and the Party Secretary of CNBG Zhu Jingjin attended the ceremony in Beijing.

President Vucic delivers a speech at the groundbreaking ceremony. [Photo/sinopharm.com] 

Vucic received the third dose of the vaccine in Belgrade on Nov 7, 2021. He said he felt well after the injection and encouraged Serbian people to get vaccinated.

President Vucic receives the third dose of vaccine. [Photo/sinopharm.com]