Chinese President Xi Jinping Condemns NATO Bombing of Chinese Embassy in Belgrade During European Tour

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first trip to Europe in five years was aimed at building bridges with France and the European Union. However, he also took the opportunity to condemn the NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade in 1999. Xi’s statement, published in a Serbian newspaper just before his state visit to Serbia, highlighted the significance of the attack anniversary.

Xi’s European tour began in France, where he met with French President Macron and European Commission President Von der Leyen. Following this, they traveled to the Pyrenees, a significant place for Macron as it is associated with his childhood. The visit to the Hautes-Pyrénées department was intended to establish a personal connection between Macron and Xi.

After the more intimate Pyrenean break, Xi planned to travel to Serbia, praising the friendship between China and Serbia as forged with the blood of their compatriots. The attack on the Chinese embassy in Belgrade occurred during the NATO air campaign in 1999. China consistently denounces it as a barbaric crime and criticizes the Atlantic Alliance for it.

Serbia and Hungary, two countries Xi visited in Europe, are key partners for China in the region. Both countries are involved in Beijing’s New Silk Road initiative, and Hungary has been supportive of China’s trade claims in the EU. Xi aimed to strengthen ties with these countries and address issues such as trade tensions with