The Institute of International Politics and Economics hosted a delegation from Tsinghua University, led by Prof. Zhang Hong and Prof. Yang Wenhui.
Prof. Dr. Mihailo Vučić, Principal Research Fellow and IIPE Deputy Director, introduced the delegation to the Institute’s history, organizational structure, and main areas of activity, while professors Zhang and Yang presented the organization and activities of Tsinghua University, as well as the composition of their delegation, which included undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students from various faculties.
The main topic of the meeting was political and economic cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and the People’s Republic of China. Speaking on the political dimension of bilateral relations, Dr. Aleksandar Mitić, Senior Research Associate, outlined the four pillars underpinning Serbia-China relations, placing particular emphasis on Serbia’s support for China’s global initiatives.
Dr. Katarina Zakić, Head of the Centre for China Studies and Senior Research Associate, presented the work of the Centre, with particular emphasis on the research conducted within the COMPASS and PERSPECTIVES2030 projects. She presented the key achievements of Sino-Serbian economic cooperation. She highlighted the growth of bilateral trade since 2017, the most significant investments made by Chinese companies in Serbia, and the role of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in the Republic of Serbia, which currently brings together 64 member companies.
The discussion that followed focused on Serbia-China cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-CEEC Cooperation Mechanism, as well as on the prospects for further cooperation in the development and application of artificial intelligence.
Following the meeting, the delegation visited the Institute’s library, where they were introduced to the Institute’s publications on China and Sino-Serbian relations, before touring the Centre for China Studies.
In addition to researchers from the Centre for China Studies, the meeting was attended by junior research assistants and research assistants of the Institute of International Politics and Economics.
