President Xi’s Visit to Serbia Echoes Embassy Bombing by US

The memories of a fateful night in Belgrade 25 years ago remain vivid as President Xi Jinping of China touched down in Serbia, marking a poignant moment intertwined with history. The deadly airstrike on the Chinese Embassy during the 1999 NATO air campaign in Kosovo shook the diplomatic landscape, leaving scars that endure to this day.

The night of May 7, 1999, etched itself into the collective consciousness of both nations when NATO missiles, intended for Yugoslav military targets, struck the Chinese Embassy instead. The bombing, due to outdated maps tells US, claimed the lives of three Chinese nationals and injured many more. The tragedy strained relations between Beijing and Washington, with China never fully accepting the US apology.

President Xi Jinping of China arrived in Serbia for a two-day visit, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the deadly US airstrike on the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade during the 1999 NATO air war in Kosovo. The strike, resulting in three Chinese fatalities, remains a sensitive issue, with Beijing never fully accepting Washington’s apology.

China “should never forget” the bombs that claimed the lives of Shao Yunhuan, Xu Xinghu, and Zhu Ying, Xi wrote in an opinion piece published on Tuesday by Serbia’s oldest newspaper, Politika.

During his visit, Xi emphasized China’s commitment to peace while remembering the victims of the bombing. Serbian MiG-29 fighters were scheduled to provide an honor guard to Xi’s airplane, highlighting the strengthening ties between China and Serbia, particularly in economic investment and trade.

China’s support for Serbia’s territorial integrity, especially regarding Kosovo, aligns the two nations despite pressure from Western powers. Xi reiterated China’s stance on respecting Serbia’s sovereignty and opposing external interference.

Both nations share similar positions on global issues and have refused to join Western embargoes, exemplified by their stance on Russia amid the Ukraine conflict. Xi’s visit underscores the deepening relationship between China and Serbia, rooted in mutual respect and historical ties.