Serbian president hails Chinese-built bypass

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic shakes hands with constructors of a new bypass road in Gornji Milanovac, Serbia, Oct. 4, 2024. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Friday inaugurated a new bypass road around the municipality of Gornji Milanovac, constructed by a Chinese company as part of Serbia's broader infrastructure development initiatives. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Friday inaugurated a new bypass road around the municipality of Gornji Milanovac, constructed by a Chinese company as part of Serbia's broader infrastructure development initiatives.

The inauguration ceremony in Gornji Milanovac -- located about an hour and a half south of Belgrade via the Chinese-built E-763 "Milos the Great" highway -- was attended by Minister of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure Goran Vesic, Chinese Ambassador Li Ming, and Gornji Milanovac Mayor Dejan Kovacevic.

Vucic emphasized the road's significance for the local community, noting that it would "bring them closer to Belgrade, Europe, and the world."

The 9.4-kilometer bypass, connecting Gornji Milanovac with the E-763 highway, is expected to alleviate traffic in the town center by diverting transit and freight vehicles.

Construction on the bypass began after a cooperation agreement was signed between Serbia's Ministry of Construction and Power Construction Corporation of China in late 2021.

Li praised the fruitful cooperation between Serbia and China in recent years, highlighting the success of numerous infrastructure projects.

"I hope this road marks a new beginning, paving the way for more opportunities for prosperity and happiness," Li concluded.